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Southwest Iberian Mediterranean sclerophyllous and mixed forests (PA 1221) are found on the Atlantic coastal strip of southern Portugal and Spain, especially in the Guadiana, Tajo, and Guadalquivir River basins. The most common forest is of cork oaks, mixed with other genera such as Laurus, Arbutus, Erica, and Ilex. Holm oak and holly oak are also common. Scleroophyllous forests typically have evergreen leaves, which are thick and leathery and small to conserve water.

World Heritage Sites within this ecoregion include:

Monastery of Batalha World Heritage Site, Leiria District,Portugal (N39o39’33” W8o49’34”) was constructed at the end of the 14th century. It is considered a masterpiece of Gothic art. King John I built the structure in gratitude for a victory at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 over the Castilians, in which King John obtained the throne and independence of Portugal. In the chapel are the tombs of the king and his wife, as well as his sons.

Complex of Belem (Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belem) World Heritage Site, Lisbon Municipality, Portugal, includes the Tower of Belem (Torre de Belem) and the Jeronimos Monastery (Hieronymites Monastery). Both commemorate Portuguese power in the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Tower of Belem (N38o41’30” W9o12’57”) was built on a small island from 1514 to 1520 for defense of the Tagus estuary and is considered an architectural jewel of its time. It commemorates the maritime discoveries of Portugal and is a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The nearby Hieronymites Monastery (N38o41’50” W9o12’25”) was built to provide spiritual assistance to seafarers and to pray for the king.

The University of Coimbra World Heritage Site, Coimbra District, Portugal (N40o12’30’ W8o25’30”), includes the hilltop campus and botanical gardens of the university (Alta area), including the hilltop the Royal Palace of Alcazaba (Paco das Escolas or University Palace) and the Joanine Library with baroque décor and documents extending back to medieval times; as well as buildings along Sofia Street (N40o12’44” W8o25’47”) including the 12th century Cathedral of Santa Cruz. As the country’s oldest university (dating from 1290), Coimbra played a key role in the institutional and architectural development of universities throughout the Portuguese colonies. It has outstanding universal value as a university city hilltop location for the Portuguese world encompassing four continents in the colonial era.

Historic Center of Córdoba World Heritage Site, Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain, includes the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, the Judería, the Roman Bridge, the Torre de la Calahorra, and Molino de Albolafia (flour mills). Other notable sites are the Sinagoga, Caballerizas Reales (Royal Stables), and Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos (Fortress of Christian Monarchs). This area became urban in Roman times and has subsequently been occupied for thousands of years by Visigoth, Islam, Judaism, and Christian peoples. In the 8th century, 300 mosques, other palaces, and other public buildings were built in the city, and Cordoba was the main urban and cultural focus of the western world.

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (N37o52’45” W4o46’45”), or the Great Mosque, is one of the world’s greatest Islamic buildings and the most important monument in the western Islamic world. Construction began in 786 and it was expanded to its current size in 991. Unique features are double arches in the roof, a ribbed vault with intertwined arches, and 856 columns, some recycled from Roman ruins, to hold up the arches. The arches have a distinctive terracotta and white-striped pattern. An intricate mihrab, or prayer niche, faces Mecca. With the conquest of Córdoba in 1236, the mosque was converted into a church. The church is known as the Capilla Mayor, and is a Gothic chapel built completely inside of the mosque in the 15th A Renaissance cathedral was built inside the mosque in the 16th and 17th centuries. Entrance to the Mosque-Cathedral is through the Patio of the Oranges, which has orange trees and fountains.

Judería (Jewish Quarter) is to the west and north of the Great Mosque. The narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed walls are typical of Andalusia. However, there are also the Courtyard Houses of Córdoba, which are distinctive in being communal and built around interior courtyards. This design is believed to be of Roman origin. The Andalusian touch is the hanging flower gardens that adorn the walls of the courtyards, with a fountain in the middle and a well to catch rainwater. Some patios date to the 10th The annual Courtyards Festival in May is a World Heritage Event.

Puente Romano (Roman bridge) features 16 arches and its appearance was enhanced by an 8th century Moorish reconstruction. It was featured in the Game of Thrones television series. Today it is a pedestrian-only bridge.

Museum Torre de la Calahorra (N37o52’32” W4o46’36”) is in a tower built to protect the Roman bridge and guard the entrance to the city that is noted during the Islamic Period. In 1369, additions were made to make the tower a more effective defensive structure. The museum features exhibits on life in Córdoba during the 10th century when Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived there.

Molino de Albolafia includes a water wheel which has been on the city logo since the 13th They are first believed to be built by Romans but are also known to have carried water to the Emir’s palaces in the Islamic period. They were taken out of operation during the Christian reconquest.

Sinagoga dates to 1315 and was believed to be a family synagogue.

Caballerizas Reales date to 1567.

Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos is the palace where Ferdinand and Isabella met Columbus and dates to the 13th and 14th

Cathedral, Alcázar, and Archivo de Indies in Seville World Heritage Site (N37o23’0” W5o59’30”) commemorates three adjacent buildings in Seville, Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. Together, they are an exceptional testimony to the civilization of Islamic and Christian Andalusia. The sites epitomize the Spanish golden age, with vestiges of Islamic culture, Christian ecclesiastical power, royal sovereignty, and trading power.

Real Alcázar and Gardens of Sevilla, begun in the 10th century as the palace of the Moslem governor, was reconstructed on the same site by Moorish workers working for the Christian King, Peter the Cruel of Castile, in the 1360s. It is currently used as the Spanish royal family residence when in Seville and is the oldest royal palace in Europe still being used. The palatial buildings and extensive garden display cultural treasures from the Renaissance to Neoclassical periods. It is directly associated with the discovery of the New World and its colonization, for within the Alcazar is Cuarto del Almirante, or Admiral’s Hall, headquarters of the House of Trade with the Americas, where plans for history’s greatest expeditions were made, including Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. The Italian Renaissance gardens extend south from the Alcazar. Episodes of the Game of Thrones TV series were filmed at the Alcazar.

Jewish Quarter (Santa Cruz district) occupies the city adjacent to the Alcazar. A wall was constructed to separate Jews from the rest of the city following the Reconquest. After 1391, most Jews left after the reconquest persecuted the population of non-Christians.

Catedral de Sevilla (Cathedral of St. Mary of the See) is the largest Gothic cathedral (seat of the bishop) in the world and one of the largest churches in the world. It was constructed from 1184 to 1198 as a mosque. Following the reconquest in 1248, the mosque was used as a Cathedral. The Gothic Cathedral was constructed between 1434 and 1517. In the 1500s, Renaissance-period works were added, and in the 1600s Baroque phases were added. Inside the cathedral are several tombs, including that of Christopher Columbus. Giralda Tower on the east wall is the former minaret of the mosque and is now used as the bell tower of the cathedral. It dates to 1195 and is considered a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The top of the tower can be reached by a walkway of 34 ramps and a final flight of stairs.

The General Archive of the Indies dates to 1598 and contains valuable historic documents on the colonization of the Americas. The building is Spanish Renaissance architecture and is between the Cathedral and Alcazar.

The Cultural Landscape of Sintra, Lisbon District, Portugal, is described as “an extraordinary and unique complex of parks, gardens, palaces, country houses, monasteries and castles, which create an architecture that harmonizes with the exotic and overgrown vegetation, creating micro-landscapes of exotic and luxuriant beauty…This syncretism between nature and ancient monuments, villas and quintas [estates] with monasteries and chalets influenced the development of landscape architecture throughout Europe.” (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/723 ). The following properties are included in the World Heritage site:

The Convent of the Capuchos (Arrabalde convent) (N38o47’3” W9o26’17”) was founded in 1374, destroyed in a 1755 earthquake, rebuilt, and abandoned in 1834.

The Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla (N38o47’6” W9o23’57”) was built as a retreat in the 19th century for King Fernando II and his future wife, the Countess of Edla.

The Park and Palace of Montserrate (N38o47’40” W9o25’15”) was built in the 19th century and is considered one of the most beautiful architectural and landscape Romantic properties in Portugal. The Farmyard of Monserrate served the palace of Montserrate and today is managed to reflect the cultural heritage of agriculture in the region.

The Moorish Castle (N38o47’33” W9o23’21”) was built in the 8th and 9th

The Park and Palace of Pena (N38o47’15” W9o23’25”) are the greatest expression of European Romanticism in Portugal, built by King Ferdinand II in the 19th It is one of the seven wonders of Portugal. The gardens contain 500 tree species. The Pena Farm and Stables were used for carriage rides and contain a hillside planted with tea.

The National Palace of Sintra (N38o47’51” W9o23’26”) is in the town center. A grandiose and magnificent palace of the kings of Portugal, it is the best preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal. It was built as a Moorish fort in the 11th century, conquered by Christians in 1147, and improved by various kings from 1281 to the 16th The silhouette has remained the same since the 16th century. The palace retains geometric tiles and arched windows of Moorish era. Distinctive cone-shaped chimneys are visible in the kitchen area. One of the most important features of the national palace is facing with tiles, the finest example on the Iberian Peninsula. Management of the state-owned property is by Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua, S.A., a non-profit corporation.

Other buildings in the World Heritage site are the Palace of Seteais (late 18th /early 19th century), the Regaleira estate (late 17th century), the Town Hall (early 20th century), and 4 churches in Sintra.

International Biosphere Reserve in the ecoregion:

Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema, Cádiz Province, Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain, is an International Biosphere Reserve with limestone caverns, high peaks, and rare plants and animals including the endemic Spanish fir and Egyptian vultures. Cork oak and holm oak groves are present. Rainfall in the park is noted as the highest in Spain. White villages within the park include:

Quesos El Bosqueño (N36o45’ E5o31’), an artisan cheese-making factory in the village of El Bosque (the forest), which makes traditional cheeses from goat and sheep milk.

Zahara de la Sierra (N36o50’ W5o24’), a high elevation town with a view of a reservoir and a castle built in the 13th century by the Moors.

Other sites in the ecoregion of note include:

Coimbra District, Portugal

Conimbriga Museum and Archaeological Park (N40o5’57” W8o29’37”), Condeixa-a-Nova, Portugal, preserves the remains of a large Roman settlement, which was constructed by the Romans from their arrival in 139 BC until barbarian invasions in 468. It is considered the best-preserved Roman ruin in Portugal. The walled settlement was served by an aqueduct, baths, and Roman road, which can still be viewed. The Repuxos House (Fountain House) contains a garden with original irrigation system and 500 water jets which are still operational.

Pousada de Coindeixa Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova (N40o7’2” W8o29’4”), is a restored building used as a hotel on the site of the 16th century former palace of the Almadas, a noble family.

Evora District, Portugal

Cromeleque dos Almendres (N38o33’27” W8o3’40”) is a double circle of 95 stones erected about 5000 B.C. This makes it 2,000 years older than Stonehenge and the oldest megalithic monument in Europe. The monument is associated with the development of Neolithic communities in Europe. The stones’ flattened side faces the sun, and some have geometric carvings. The stone circles are a short walk from a parking area on a hilltop forested with cork oak trees. The hilltop is the drainage dividing line of the three largest rivers in Portugal, the Tagus, Sado, and Guadiana. The site is accessible from the village of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe via signed dirt roads. On the drive to the parking area is another marked side trail to the Menhir dos Almendres (N38o33’50” W8o2’54”), a single granite monolith rising 4 meters. A line from the menhir to the stone circle marks sunrise in the summer solstice.

Lisbon District, Portugal

Palace of the Arches (Vila Gale Collection Palacio dos Arcos, Paco de Arcos, Oeiras Municipality, Lisbon District, Portugal), is a hotel built in the 15th century; the king watched ships leaving for India from the balcony. The current hotel is dedicated to Portuguese poetry, with verses from famous poetry on the walls of public areas. Public gardens are adjacent to the palace (N38o41’48” W9o17’21”).

Lisbon Municipality sites include:

National Azuelejo (Tile) Museum (N38o43’28” W9o6’50”) displays hundreds of ornate patterns in the rooms of the former Convent of Madre Deus, 1509. The decorative tiles date from the 15th century to the present. Also, ceramics and porcelain are also displayed.

The Alfama District (N38o43’ W9o8’) of Lisbon is a former Muslim district with a maze of narrow streets and home of Fado music.

Restoration Square (Restauradores) (N38o43’ W9o8’30”) and Baixa District (downtown) including the Santa Justa elevator. The name celebrates the restoration of the independence of Portugal in 1640, after 60 years of having a shared king with Spain.

Parque Eduardo VII (N38o43’50” W9o9’17”) provides a panoramic view of Lisbon and the Tejo (Tagos) River from a hill above the city. It was named for an English king who visited in 1902.

Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais is 14,583 ha and includes megalithic monuments, the Guincho-Oitavas dunes, Guincho Beach, Ribafria estate, Ramalhao Palace, the Sanctuary of Peninha, and the Cultural Landscape of Sintra World Heritage Site. It is the westernmost point on the European continent. The Cultural Landscape of Sintra World Heritage Site (see) is within this park. Also, the coastal overlook, rocky coastline, and wildflowers at Cape Raso, Guincho Beach, Cascais Municipality (N38o43’ W9o29’), are part of the park. A view to the north is of Cape Roca, the westernmost point in the European continent.

National Palace and Gardens of Queluz (N38o45’0” W9o15’30”), Sintra Municipality, Lisbon District, Portugal, is a royal residence located west of Lisbon. It is a landmark of both Portuguese architecture and landscape design from the 18th and 19th centuries and includes baroque, rococo, and neoclassical influence. It is sometimes compared with Versailles. The structure was built as a summer palace in 1747 and transferred to state management in 1908. The Queluz Gardens surround the palace on three sides and include a botanical garden, a channel for boat or gondola rides, a maze garden, hanging garden, and Malta garden. Management of the state-owned property is by Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua, S.A., a non-profit corporation.

Santarém District, Portugal

Campanhia das Lezirias is a state-run farm located at the confluence of the Tagus and Sado Rivers. It is currently 20,000 ha in area and is managed for agriculture (rice), cattle, breeding of Lusitano horses (the oldest saddle horse breed in the world), and forestry. The farm includes the Estate Monte de Braco de Prata (restaurant, horse sports activity center, and stud farm (N38o52’47” W8o51’45”), the cork oak forest (N38o49’ W8o51’), and the Catapereiro Winery (N38o48’47” W8o52’56”).

Cádiz Province, Andalusia, Spain

Arcos de la Frontera (N36o44’52” W5o48’24”) is dramatically positioned on a rocky cliff above the Guadalete River. There is a tangled labyrinth of cobblestone streets with a castle at the high point. The castle has shields of the Dukes of Arcos on the outside. An overlook and hotel are adjacent to the castle. The town was at the frontier in the 13th century battles with the Moors.

Seville Province, Andalusia, Spain

Hotel Inglaterra, Sevilla, is an 1857 hotel is located on Plaza Nueva (N37o23’20” W5o59’45”), opposite the city hall. It features a rooftop bar with a panoramic view of the city including the cathedral. In the 19th century, monarchs visiting Seville stayed at the Iglaterra Inn. Behind the city hall was a prison that held Cervantes. During his time in jail in 1598 he conceived the idea of Don Quixote, the most influential work of Spanish literature.

Plaza de España, Sevilla (N37o22’35” W5o59’10”), was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 as a semi-circular brick building in the Renaissance style. It was the location for the filming of movies such as Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia. Today it offers a park-like setting along the Guadalquivir River.

North of the 60th parallel in Northwest Territories and Nunavut Territory, the boreal forests become sparser and grade into tundra vegetation. This post describes four ecoregions located between the 60th and 70th parallels in this region. Muskwa-Slave Lake forests ecoregion was described last month. The Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America at 600 m and the 10th largest in the world (500 km by 225 km), is named after a First Nations people, known as the Slave or Dene. The largest river flowing into the lake is the Slave River, from the south, and the lake drains from its west side by the Mackenzie River, an Arctic Ocean tributary. On the north side of the lake is Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories.

Low Arctic Tundra

This ecoregion in Nunavut Territory and Northwest Territories consists of shrubby tundra vegetation including willow and heath. It includes much of the area south of Coronation Gulf and Queen Maud Gulf in Nunavut.

Ramsar Site in Low Arctic Tundra

Ahiak Migratory Bird Sanctuary (formerly Queen Maud Gulf MBS) is 6,292,818 ha; this makes it the world’s second largest Ramsar site. The site is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service, part of Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Ahiak Co-Management Committee (settlements of Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Umingmaktok). The vast flat expanse of tundra meadows and marshes is the nesting ground for 450,000 Ross’s geese, 90 percent of the world’s population. Also 8% of the Canadian population of snow geese nest here. There are about 60 goose colonies, the largest of which is at Karrak Lake, where there is a research station (N67o14’ W100o16’). In addition to research on lesser snow and Ross’s geese, there is also research on Arctic fox (http://www.usask.ca/biology/fox/). Access to the sanctuary requires a permit. Other animals are barren ground caribou (calving ground), musk oxen, wolves, grizzly, and wolverine. Habitats are web meadow, marsh tundra, dry tundra, rock and boulder fields.

National Sites in the Low Arctic Tundra

Bloody Falls National Historic Site and Kugluk/Bloody Falls Territorial Park (N67o45’ W115o22’) is an archaeological site on Coppermine River terraces which records pre-contact hunting and fishing sites. The falls was also the site of the 1771 Bloody Falls Massacre, where Inuit were killed by Chipewayans while on a survey of the Coppermine River.

Thelon River is designated as a Canadian Heritage River between Eyeberry Lake (N63o10’ W104o40’) and Baker Lake (N64o16’ W96o8’). The Thelon is the largest river flowing into Hudson’s Bay, at 900 km in length, and is an unaltered drainage basin. Much of the Heritage River flows through the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary. The Thelon is an important bird area for Canada geese, greater white-fronted geese, and snow geese.

Territorial and Other Sites in the Low Arctic Tundra

The Back River Volcanic complex is a 2.7-billion-year-old stratovolcanic complex including the Heywood Range (N64o47’W107o50’) and Peacock Hills, roughly bounded by the Back and Contwoyto Rivers, Keish Lake (N65o2’ W108o21’), Regan Lake (N65o5’ W107o48’), Gold Lake (N64o50’ W107o42’), and Jim Magrum Lake (N64o44’ W108o2’) (Villenueve et al., 2001). To the east, the Back River Gold District is a proposed mine complex south of Bathurst Inlet. Open-pit mining would take place near Goose Lake (N65o33’ W106o26’) and George Lake (N65o55’ W107o28’) (Rescan Environmental Services Ltd., 2012). An open-pit diamond mine is located at Lac de Gras (N64o31’ W110o34’) northeast of Yellowknife.

Bathurst Inlet (N67o35’ W108o10’) hosts the Bathurst caribou herd, which was made up of 500,000 individuals in the 1980s, has declined to less than 10,000 today. The cause of the decline and whether it is a natural fluctuation are debated, but the drastic loss in a few years is cause for concern (Government of Northwest Territories, 2019). The topography around the inlet includes sea cliffs used by raptors.

Daring Lake Tundra Ecosystem Research Station (N64o52’ W111o36’) is operated by the government of Northwest Territories to conduct long-term research on the tundra ecosystem, including global change and caribou grazing.

Middle Back River Important Bird Area extends from Pelly Lake (N65o58’ W101o40’) to Lower Garry Lake (N65o53’ W100o0’). It provides nesting habitat for Canada goose, lesser snow goose, and other waterfowl. Molting Canada geese are observed in shoreline grass and sedge habitats. Snow geese breed at Pelly Lake. The Back River was formerly known as Back’s Great Fish River.

Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary is 52,000 km2 in both Nunavut Territory and Northwest Territories and was established in 1927 to protect muskoxen. It is also the calving grounds for the Beverly caribou herd. It extends from Moraine Lake on the Baillie River (N64o10’ W105o55’) on the west to Wharton Lake in the east (N64o4’ W100o0’) and from Dubawnt Lake in the south (N63o10’ W102o5’) to the Back River-Consul River confluence in the north (N65o41’ W102o2’).

Wilburforce Falls on the Hood River (N67o6’ W108o48’) at 49 m is the highest cataract north of the Arctic Circle.

Middle Arctic Tundra

To the north of the Low Arctic Tundra, this ecoregion includes Victoria island and parts of the Kent Peninsula in the Coronation Gulf. Vegetation includes Arctic willow, herbs, and lichens. The Dolphin and Union caribou herd migrate across the straight between Victoria Island and mainland Nunavut. They spend time on Victoria Island for summer grazing and the shoreline from Bathhurst Inlet west to Northwest Territories for winter use (NWT Species at Risk, 2019; Torney et al., 2018).

Territorial and Other Sites in the Middle Arctic Tundra

Ovayok Territorial Park (N69o10’ W104o43’) includes a prominent esker rising to 210 m east of Cambridge Bay. The park is known for sitings of muskox.

Jenny Lind Island (Qikiqtaryuaq Island) (N68o42’ W102o0’) is a low-lying island with low lying wetlands, and is an Important Bird Area for nesting snow geese and Ross’ geese.

Walker Bay Research Station (N68o21’ W108o6’) is on the Kent Peninsula south of the Augustus River. Research on lemmings, a keystone prey for Arctic fox, snowy owl, weasel, and jaegers is conducted here. The longest record of lemming dynamics and habitat use in the Canadian Arctic has been compiled here (Dupuch et al. 2014).

Northern Canadian Shield Taiga

This area is mostly in the Northwest Territories south of the limits of tree growth. It is east of Great Bear Lake and north and east of Great Slave Lake. Vegetation is stunted black spruce and tamarack, with a ground cover of dwarf birch and ericaceous shrubs. Sedges and sphagnum moss are also common.

National Sites in the Northern Canadian Shield Taiga

Kazan River is designated as a Canadian Heritage River from Ennadai Lake (N61o15’ W100o57’) to Baker Lake (N64o2’ W95o29’). Three waterfalls are present between Angikuni Lake (N62o15’ W100o0’) and Yathkyed Lake (N62o43’ W97o55’). Further downstream is Kazan Falls and gorge. Muskoxen are commonly seen by canoeists.

Fort Reliance National Historic Site (N62o47’ W108o56’) is at the northeastern end of Great Slave Lake at the mouth of the Lockhart River. This was a Hudson’s Bay Company Fort and trading post dating to 1855. The remains of 4 fireplaces and chimneys are at the site.

Thelon River is designated as a Canadian Heritage River between Eyeberry Lake (N63o10’ W104o40’) and Baker Lake (N64o16’ W96o8’). The Thelon is the largest river flowing into Hudson’s Bay, at 900 km in length, and is an unaltered drainage basin. The Thelon is an important bird area for Canada geese, greater white-fronted geese, and snow geese.

Territorial and Other Sites in the Northern Canadian Shield Taiga

Fort Confidence (N66o53’ W119o3’) was a Hudson’s Bay Company post at Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake from 1837 to 1848. The remains of stone and clay chimneys are still present.

Nicholson Lake Impact Crater (N62o40’ W102o41’) is 12 km in diameter, on the Dubawnt River, and dates to 400 million years ago. It contains a large island in its center.

North Arm, Great Slave Lake, Important Bird Area (N62o34’ W115o14) is a staging area for spring-migrating waterfowl, including Canada geese, scaup, pintail, tundra swan, gulls and terns.

Pilot Lake Impact Crater (N60o17’ W111o1’) is 6 km in diameter and dates to 445 million years ago. It is northeast of Fort Smith and stands out prominently as a circular lake in an area where most are irregularly shaped.

Old Fort Providence (N62o17’ W114o6’) is on Wool Bay on Great Slave Lake, southeast of Yellowknife. This was the site of an early trading post on the lake, dating to 1786, established by the North West Company. The remains of 4 buildings are spread over 1 ha.

Port Radium (N66o5’ W118o2’), on Great Bear Lake, was the site of a mine producing uranium, pitchblende, and silver from 1930-1982. Radioactive mine tailings were cleaned up in 2007.

Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary is 52,000 km2 and was established in 1927 to protect muskoxen. It is also the calving grounds for the Beverly caribou herd. It extends from Moraine Lake on the Baillie River (N64o10’ W105o55’) on the west to Wharton Lake in the east (N64o4’ W100o0’) and from Dubawnt Lake in the south (N63o10’ W102o5’) to the Back River-Consul River confluence in the north (N65o41’ W102o2’).

Park on Route 3 (Yellowknife Highway)

Fred Henne Territorial Park (N62o28’ W114o25’) is at km 335 on Route 3 adjacent to Yellowknife. It includes the 4-km Prospector’s Trail.

Parks on Route 4 (Ingraham Trail)

Yellowknife River Territorial Park (N62o31’ W114o19’) is east of Yellowknife at km 8 on Route 4.

Northwest Territories Taiga

This ecoregion is west of Great Slave Lake, extending north to Great Bear Lake, and includes open stunted black spruce with dwarf birch, Labrador tea, and willow.

National Sites in the Northwest Territories Taiga

Edehzhie Dehcho Protected Area and National Wildlife Area (N62o W118o) is 1,425,000 ha, including the Horn Plateau west of Great Slave Lake and Mills Lake area along the Mackenzie River. The expansive area of boreal forests and wetlands is jointly managed by the Dehcho First Nations and the Canadian Wildlife Service, part of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Wildlife includes caribou, moose, and wolves.

Territorial Sites in the Northwest Territories Taiga

Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary is bordered by Great Slave Lake on the east and Route 3 (Frontier Highway) on the west for 50 miles; it is on the north side of the Mackenzie River ferry. On Frontier Highway, km 24 is Mackenzie River and km 26 is the bison sanctuary boundary. The Mackenzie population of wood bison descended from a population of 18 individuals released north of Fort Providence in 1963. Numbers currently fluctuate between 500 and 2,000. In recent years the population has suffered from anthrax outbreaks. In addition, lakes are expanding in area due to climate change. The resulting landscape flooding is reducing their habitat (Korosi et al., 2017). Chan Lake Territorial Park (N61o54’ W116o32’) is at km 124 on Route 3 at the north end of the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary.

Martin Lake (Lac La Martre) (N63o21’ W117o58’) is the third largest lake in the Northwest Territories and is noted as a migratory bird staging area.

North Arm Territorial Park (N62o43’ W116o5’) is on Route 3, km 232, at Great Slave Lake.

Muskwa-Slave Lake forests, Part 2

This ecoregion is in northern Alberta, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories and includes the area to the south of Great Slave Lake. Sites in Alberta and British Columbia were described in a previous post. Vegetation consists of closed stands of quaking aspen, spruce, and balsam fir with lesser amounts of balsam poplar and black spruce. Sporadic permafrost, wetlands, and bogs cover up to one-half of the land. The ecoregion supports large-scale mammal migrations.

The Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America at 600 m and the 10th largest in the world (500 km by 225 km), is named after a First Nations people, known as the Slave or Dene. The largest river flowing into the lake is the Slave River, from the south, and the lake drains from its west side by the Mackenzie River, an Arctic Ocean tributary.

World Heritage Sites in Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests:

Wood Buffalo National Park, the largest national park in Canada at 44.8 million ha, is in Alberta and Northwest Territories. Established to protect the last remaining herds of the wood bison subspecies, it was later found to be the only remaining nesting ground of the whooping crane. Vegetation is the largest undisturbed grass and sedge meadows in North America, with a patterned landscape of muskeg, shallow lakes, coniferous and mixed forest. The park is also a Dark Sky Preserve.

Wood bison calving grounds are in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (N58ᵒ50’ W112ᵒ0’) and in the Darrow Creek meadows area (N59ᵒ25’ W111ᵒ37’) of the park, both in the eastern areas of the park. Wood bison are North America’s largest land mammal. In this park, the predator-prey relationship between wolves and wood bison has continued, unbroken, over time. The whooping crane nesting grounds (N60ᵒ15’ W113ᵒ15’), a Key Biodiversity Area and Important Bird Area, are in the northeastern portion of the park. Extensive salt plains (N59ᵒ50’ W112ᵒ10’) are accessible from Route 5. Wood Buffalo National Park contains the finest example of gypsum karst in North America (N60ᵒ20’ W114ᵒ15’). Other park sites are the Birch River (N58ᵒ15’ W113ᵒ25’), Garden River (N58ᵒ43’ W113ᵒ48’), Peace Point (N59ᵒ8’ W112ᵒ27’), Buffalo Lake (N60ᵒ15’ W115ᵒ20’) and an area of upland tundra (N59ᵒ35’ W114ᵒ50’).

Ramsar Sites in Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests

Peace-Athabasca Delta (N58˚50’ W112˚0’), within Wood Buffalo National Park, is the largest freshwater delta in the world’s boreal forests, spanning 3 river deltas (Athabasca, Birch, and Peace) and four large freshwater lakes. An Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area, the delta is one of the most important nesting, resting and feeding areas for waterfowl in North America, and is also a wood bison calving ground. Vegetation is open grass and sedge meadows. The delta provides thousands of miles of shoreline for nesting waterfowl from all four flyways. Breeding species include Canada goose, mallard, gadwall, American wigeon, northern pintail, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, canvasback, whooping crane, bald eagle, and osprey.

Whooping Crane Summer Range (N60ᵒ15’ W113ᵒ15’), is within Wood Buffalo National Park and is the only remaining nesting area for whooping crane. The thousands of marshes, shallow ponds, streams, lakes, and bogs within this area provide habitat at the northern limit of boreal forest. It is an important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area.

National Sites

Edehzhie Dehcho Protected Area and National Wildlife Area (N62o W118o) is 1,425,000 ha, including the Horn Plateau west of Great Slave Lake and Mills Lake area along the Mackenzie River. The expansive area of boreal forests and wetlands is jointly managed by the Dehcho First Nations and the Canadian Wildlife Service, part of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Wildlife includes caribou, moose, and wolves. Mills Lake Important Bird Area (N61o27’ W118o17’) is a widening of the Mackenzie River near the confluence with the Horn River. It is an important September-October migration stop for greater white-fronted geese, tundra swan, snow geese, Canada geese, ducks, and coots.

Fort Resolution National Historic Site (N61o10’ W113o45’) is the site of the oldest trading post in the Northwest Territories, dating to 1819. The site is on a peninsula on the Great Slave Lake near the present-day town of the same name. No remains are present.

Hay River Missions National Historic Site (N60o52’ W115o44’) is on the right bank (facing downriver) of the Hay River at its confluence with Great Slave Lake. The site is the half-way point of a 2,500-mile waterway between Athabasca Landing north of Edmonton and the Arctic Ocean. In 1868, Hudson’s Bay Company opened a fur trading post and Catholic mission at the site. Between 1893 and 1937, an Indian residential school was on the site. In 1909, St. Peter’s Anglican Church was constructed at one end of the settlement, and in 1940, St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church was constructed at the other end. The national historic site consists of the two churches, remains of a rectory, associated cemeteries, and spirit houses. Together, these represent a cultural landscape that commemorates decades of interaction between K’atl’odeechee First Nation and settler populations.

Territorial and other sites

Beaver Lake Important Bird Area (N61o7’ W117o12’) is a wide part of the Mackenzie River at the west end of Great Slave Lake. It is important for tundra swans.

South Shore Great Slave Lake Important Bird Area extends along the shoreline from the Slave River Delta (N61o18’ W113o38’) to Taltson River (N61o26’ W112o48’). It is an important spring and fall migration stop for tundra swans, snow geese, ducks, and Canada geese.

Parks on Route 1 (Mackenzie Highway)

60th Parallel Territorial Park (N60o0’ W116o59’) is at the Alberta Border on Route 1 and serves as a visitor center for traffic entering the Northwest Territories. There are overlooks of the Hay River.

Twin Falls Territorial Park (N60o31’ W116o3’) includes a trail to both Alexander and Louise Falls, on Hay River south of Enterprise at km 72 on Route 1.

McNallie Creek Territorial Park (N60o47’ W116o35’) is north of Enterprise at km 120 on Route 1 and includes a 17-m waterfall.

Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park (N60o58’ W117o20’) is on Route 1 at km 167. The falls are on the Kakisa River south of Route 1.

Kakisa River Territorial Park (N61o0’ W117o20’) is on Route 1, km 169, and includes a trail to Lady Evelyn Falls.

Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park (N61o9’ W119o51’) is on Route 1, km 325, at the Trout River. The park includes two waterfalls and is noted for coral fossils.

Park on Route 2 (Great Slave Route)

Hay River Territorial Park (N60o52’ W113o44’) is at the mouth of Hay River off Route 2, km 46, at Vale Island.

Parks on Route 3 (Yellowknife Highway)

Dory Point Territorial Park (N61o15’ W117o29’) is on Route 3, km 21, at the Mackenzie River.

Fort Providence Territorial Park (N61o20’ W117o37’) is at Fort Providence on the north side of the McKenzie River, Route 3 km 33.

Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary is bordered by Great Slave Lake on the east and Route 3 (Frontier Highway) on the west for 50 miles; it begins on the north side of Mackenzie River bridge; km 26 is the bison sanctuary boundary. The Mackenzie population of wood bison descended from a population of 18 individuals released north of Fort Providence in 1963. Numbers currently fluctuate between 500 and 2,000. In recent years the population has suffered from anthrax outbreaks. In addition, lakes are expanding in area due to climate change. The resulting landscape flooding is reducing their habitat (Korosi et al., 2017).

Parks on Route 5 (Fort Smith Highway)

Little Buffalo River Falls Territorial Park (N60o2’ W112o42’) is west of Fort Smith at km 215 on Route 5.

Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park (N60o1’ W111o55’) is in Fort Smith at km 261 on Route 5, and includes views of the Slave River and white pelican colonies.

Fort Smith Mission Territorial Park (N60o0’ W111o53’) is in the center of town at 25 Mercredi Avenue. It was briefly the capital of the Northwest Territories and includes the remaining buildings and a grotto from Oblate Catholic Mission.

Park on Route 6 (Fort Resolution Highway)

Little Buffalo River Crossing Territorial Park (N61o0’ W113o46’) is at km 67 on Route 6 south of Fort Resolution.

The Budd, Knox, and Sabrina Coasts of East Antarctica were first reported by the U.S. Exploring Expedition in 1840. They are all part of Wilkes Land, named for the officer in charge of the expedition. From west to east, the Knox Coast extends from Cape Hordern (S66o15’ E100o31’), to the Hatch Islands (S66o32’ E109o16’), the Budd Coast extends from the Hatch Islands to Cape Waldron (S66o34’ E115o33’), and the Sabrina Coast extends from Cape Waldron to Cape Southard (S66o E122o3’). Cape Poinsett (S65o46’ E113o13’), Cape Folger (S66o8’ E110o44’), and Cape Nutt (S66o38’ E108o12’) were first observed by the US Exploring Expedition. With the exception of the Antarctic Peninsula in West Antarctica, Cape Poinsett is the furthest north point of continental Antarctica. Inland of these points, the East Antarctic Ice Sheet in Wilkes Land reaches elevations of 6,000 to 9,500 feet above sea level.

Up until recently, the East Antarctic Ice Sheet at Wilkes Land has been assumed to be the most stable part of Antarctica and the least likely to melt with global warming. The glaciers discharging in Wilkes Land were thought to be grounded at bedrock and isolated from warm ocean water currents. Recent research suggests this assumption is wrong.

In this map area, the majority of glaciers with ocean termini retreated between 2000 and 2012. Wilkes Land overlies a large subglacial basin which is connected to the sea. Miles, Stokes, and Jamieson (2016) suggest that the glacial retreat is related to a reduction in sea ice, which increases the incursion of warm deep water toward the glacier terminus. If this is the cause of the retreat, it is likely that ice loss from Wilkes Land would be a major contribution to sea level rise.

Greene et al. (2017) and Rintoul et al. (2016) studied the Totten Glacier (S67o0’ E116o20’) on the Sabrina Coast and found that glacial retreat is due to incursion of warm water to the grounding line of the glacier. This is the point where the glacier transitions to an ice shelf. Rintoul et al. (2016) found that a deep trough is allowing the warm water to reach the glacier under the sea ice. Greene et al. (2017) found another mechanism, increased wind, could also allow warm water to reach the grounding line. Atmospheric carbon dioxide increases will cause surface winds to intensify around Antarctica. Increased wind on the ocean surface would cause warm deep water to upwell, surmount the continental shelf, and melt the ice from below. This appears to be happening to the Totten Glacier and is a cause for concern because the glacier drains a vast basin, most of which is below sea level. Thus, Totten Glacier is believed subject to rapid collapse, potentially causing a sea level rise worldwide of 3.5 m.

The ice cap at Law Dome (S66o44’ E112o50’) on the Budd Coast rises to 1,395 m in elevation and has been the subject of climate research for several decades. Recently, it was determined that when Western Australia suffers a drought, Law Dome experiences heavy snowfall. The pattern is so intense that it is outside the range of natural variation observed for the area in the last 750 years (van Ommen and Morgan, 2010; Berardelli, 2010). Cores from the ice cap have been useful in studying atmospheric carbon dioxide levels because the heavy snowfall allows delineation of individual yearly layers. Data from the ice cores indicates that preindustrial carbon dioxide levels going back to 1006 ACE ranged from 275 to 284 ppm, with lower levels between 1550 and 1800 A.D. (Etheridge et al., 1998). Studies of methanesulfonic acid as a proxy for biological activity indicate that there has been a 20% decline in sea ice extent in East Antarctica since 1950; before 1950, sea ice was routinely 1 degree of latitude further north in extent (Curran et al., 2003; Wolff, 2003).

On the Budd Coast in the Windmill Islands area are four specially protected areas.

Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 103: Ardery Island (S66o22’ E110o27’) and Odbert Island (S66o22’ E110o32’) protect breeding colonies of four species of fulmarine petrels, Antarctic petrel, southern fulmar, cape petrel, and snow petrel. These birds typically nest on cliffs. Other breeding bird populations are Wilson’s storm petrel and Antarctic skua. On Odbert Island is a breeding population of Adelie penguins. Vegetation is moss, lichen, and algae. The 244-ha site is an Important Bird Area.

ASPA 135: Northeast Bailey Peninsula (S66o17’ E110o32’) is the most important botanical sites in Antarctica, used for scientific reference studies. The 28-ha site is just to the east of Casey Station. The low rounded ice-free rocky outcrops include three extensive moss fields, lichens, bryophytes, algae, and fungi.

ASPA 160: Frazier Islands include three small islands with a total area of 60 ha. In combination, the three islands provide the largest known breeding colony of the southern giant petrel. Also breeding on Nelly Island (S66o14’ E110o11’) are snow petrel, cape petrel, Antarctic petrel, Wilson’s storm petrel, southern fulmar, and South Polar skua. On Dewart Island (S66o14’ E110o10’), the cape petrel also breeds. Charlton Island (S66o13’ E110o9’) is the smallest of the islands in the protected area.

On the Knox Coast is the Bunger Hills area with two historic sites. The Bunger Hills are generally ice-free. Historic Site and Monument 10: Soviet Oasis Station Observatory (S66o16’ E100o45’) is a magnetic observatory building from 1956. HSM 49: Bungar Hill Pillar (S66o16’ E100o45’) is a concrete monument established by the first Polish Antarctic expedition in 1959, which measured acceleration due to gravity.

This map area is almost completely in the East Siberian Taiga ecoregion, with small areas in the northwest grading into the Taimyr-Central Siberian tundra. The taiga is characterized by larch forests but without large bogs or swamps. On maps this taiga ecoregion occupies the Central Siberian Plateau because of its hillier terrain. It is the most extensive natural forest in the world, but, as seen below, portions have been impacted by natural and man-made activities in the last 100 or so years.

Tunguska Explosion

On June 30, 1908, an explosion over today’s Tunguska Nature Reserve left thousands of trees charred over a 2000-km2 area. The most common explanation for the explosion has been that it was an asteroid or meteorite entry into the atmosphere. However, there is no crater or meteorite debris. One possibility is a natural gas explosion from the abundant resources in the area (Anonymous, 2002) If it was a meteorite, it is possible that heat from an exploding meteorite burned up all the meteorite fragments (2). The explosion coordinates (N60⁰55’ E101⁰57’*), are north of Vanavara and the Stony Tunguska River.

A meteorite would have been about 6 km high and 50-60 m in diameter when it exploded. Underneath the blast, the trees were incinerated but left standing. At 5 to 15 km, trees were blown over with the tops pointing away from the blast. Witnesses in the towns of Kirensk (400 km away) and Vanavara (40 km south) saw a fireball. A hot wind was reported blowing from the north. Russian researchers later found tiny stony particles embedded in trees (Anonymous, 1996; Hartmann, 2018).

A meteorite fall of this size would have injected up to 30 million tons of nitric oxide (NO) into the stratosphere and mesosphere. This would have affected the ozone layer. Turco et al. (1981) found evidence from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Records that ozone was recovering between 1909 and 1911 from a low in 1908. Ganapathy (1983) found evidence that metallic spheres in the Tunguska area were enriched in iridium, an extraterrestrial signature of impacts.

Lake Cheko (N60o58’ E101o52’) has been investigated as a possible impact crater and found to be potentially caused by an impact (University of Bologna, 2018), but recent studies of the sediment age in the lake suggest it is older than 1908, according to Sputnik News (2017). Also, other fragments should be nearby, and rocks in the area would show trauma if there had been an impact (MacMillan 2008).

The site of the Tunguska Explosion is protected as the Tunguska Nature Reserve (Zapovednik), a 296,000-ha area surrounding the affected site (N60o44’ E101o58’).

Siberian Traps and Devonian-Permian Extinctions

The Central Siberian Plateau landform is made up of volcanic material known as flood basalt. When large-scale volcanic eruptions took place to create these basalts, they created what are known as large igneous provinces (LIPs) or traps. The Central Siberian Plateau is made up of two LIPs, one in the Sakha Republic area and one in the Krasnoyarsk Krai area. The Yukutsk-Vilyuy LIP was formed at the end of the Devonian Period (359 million years ago) (Ivanov et al., 2015). This date is associated with an end-Devonian mass extinction of sea life, where up to 87 % of species went extinct. However, the Devonian is also the time when land plants evolved vascular features and seeds. During this time, the first forests spread across the land. It is possible that this vegetation of the earth could also have led to the mass extinctions in the sea because as the plants colonized new habitats, more nutrients could have been released from the soil and the water could have been muddied. Vast algal blooms would live off the additional nutrients and cause anoxia in the oceans and cooling worldwide as levels of carbon dioxide were reduced. The end-Devonian mass extinction was a re-setting of life on Earth, allowing new animal types to evolve in the following periods, the Carboniferous and Permian. The Yukutsk-Vilyuy LIP is associated with a chain of kimberlite fields (diamond mines) that stretches nearly 1,000 km in a southwest to northeast direction across this part of Siberia (Kravchinsky et al., 2002).

The second LIP is associated with the end of the Permian Period, approximately 250 million years ago (Campbell et al., 1992). This is called the Siberian traps and is the largest known LIP. The date of the Siberian traps coincides with the Earth’s most catastrophic mass extinction at the end of the Permian period (Reichow et al., 2004). At this time, volcanism released large masses of sulfate aerosols, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon dioxide in a short period, as little as 60,000 years, triggering warming. The chlorine and fluorine would have damaged the ozone layer. It is believed that curtailment of photosynthesis from global dimming led to rapid carbon dioxide buildup, warming, and shallow water anoxia (Saunders and Reichow, 2009). The extra carbon dioxide from the Siberian traps dissolved in the oceans, harming creatures that create calcium carbonate shells. On land, there was a collapse of land plants. The collapse was so severe that there are virtually no coal deposits known from the early Triassic period. The end-Permian extinction could have been a cascading series of events that affected the entire biosphere (Sutherland, 2016). Initially, the volcanic eruptions released enough carbon dioxide to cause a 10o to 15oC tropical warming. This resulted in unbearably hot temperatures on land; organisms were also likely affected by ultraviolet radiation from a collapsed ozone shield. The marine extinction was most severe at high latitudes and its severe effects were likely due to hypoxia, or deoxygenation of the oceans. Organisms at tropical latitudes were preadapted to tolerate low oxygen and high temperatures, and thus were better able to survive the global warming (Kump, 2018; Penn et al., 2018).

‘Peaceful’ Nuclear Explosions

Between 1974 and 1987, 11 underground nuclear tests were conducted in the Vilyuy region. Two of the 11 had above-ground fallout (Crate, 1996). At least 7 explosions were conducted in the Neva area (N61o30’ E113o0’) southwest of Mirnyy between 1976 and 1987. These explosions were aimed at stimulating oil production from the bedrock of the area and were considered successful (Nordyke, 2000). The Krystall explosion near Udachnyy (N66o25’ E112o22’) in 1974 was aimed at creating a dam for the tailings pond at the diamond mine near the Daldyn River. Radiation leaked from this explosion and today levels of radiation are 5 times natural background levels (Yakovleva, Alabaster,and Petrova, 2000). The Kratom-3 explosion (N65o56’ E112o20’), which took place on August 24, 1978, was adjacent to the Markha River east of Aykhal (Artamonova, Kozhevnikov, and Antonov, 2018). It was part of a deep seismic testing program to study the crustal structure of the earth. The explosion resulted in a radioactive release during a drizzling rain. The radionuclides contaminated the soil and the larch forest exposed to the cloud was killed. Rehabilitation operations were conducted three years after the explosion and in 2007. The site remains contaminated with strontium-90, cesium-137, and plutonium 238-240, which are present in plants, forest cover, and soil. About 200 m away from ground zero, the plutonium concentration is higher than at Chernobyl (Goryachenkova et al., 2017; Ramzaev, 2009). A long-term effect of this activity has been permafrost degradation, perhaps through flow of heat through the rocks over time (Artamonova, Kozhevnikov, and Antonov, 2013).

Birds and Diamonds

Murukta Depression (N67o43’ E102o20’) is a 315,105-ha Important Bird Area in Evenkiysky District of Krasnoyarsk. The area contains numerous small lakes and marshes adjacent to the Kotuy River. Nearby Lake Yessey (N68o25’ E102o25’) is known for an endangered species (IUCN Red List) of char which is endemic to four lakes in the Taymyr area (Devi and Boguskaya, 2009).

Vilyuy Dam (N63o2’ E112o28’) is located on the Vilyuy River and creates a 280-mile-long lake. It supplies electricity to diamond mines at Mir (N62o32’ E114o0’), Aykhal (N65o56’ E111o30’), and Udachny (N66o26’ E112o19’). A diamond mine is also at Nyurba (N63o17’ E118o20’). These mines include large open-pit areas and may include underground components. Unintended environmental consequences have included pollution of many of the rivers in the area with heavy metals, and the hydrologic dam has disrupted river flows (Crate, 1996; Yakovleva, Alabaster,and Petrova, 2000).

Lensk (N60o44’ E114o35’), on the Lena River, is near a cave with an 82’ waterfall and underground lake.

Although transportation is limited in summer months, winter ice roads connect Lensk, Mirny, and Udachny in the Sakha Republic and Tura in Krasnoyarsk Krai.

Kravchinsky, Vadim A. et al. 2002. Paleomagnetism of East Siberian traps and kimberlites: two new poles and palaeographic reconstructions at about 360 and 250 Ma. Geophysical Journal International 148:1-33.

In northern Alberta and British Columbia, two boreal forest ecoregions occupy the landscape. The Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests include the area east of the Rocky Mountains and east to Wood Buffalo National Park. The Northern Cordillera forests are in the northern Rocky Mountains.

Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests

The Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests ecoregion is in northern Alberta and British Columbia and includes the Caribou Mountains, Cameron Hills and Hay and Fort Nelson River drainages. Vegetation consists of closed stands of quaking aspen, spruce, and balsam fir with lesser amounts of balsam poplar and black spruce. Sporadic permafrost, wetlands, and bogs cover up to one-half of the land. The ecoregion supports large-scale mammal migrations of woodland caribou, moose, lynx, grizzly bear, black bear, wolf, and elk. The summer range of the whooping crane and the Peace-Athabasca delta are in this ecoregion.

World Heritage Sites in Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests

Wood Buffalo National Park, the largest national park in Canada at 44.8 million ha, is in Alberta and Northwest Territories. Established to protect the last remaining herds of the wood bison subspecies, it was later found to be the only remaining nesting ground of the whooping crane. Vegetation is the largest undisturbed grass and sedge meadows in North America, with a patterned landscape of muskeg, shallow lakes, coniferous and mixed forest. The park is also a Dark Sky Preserve.

Wood bison calving grounds are in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (N58ᵒ50’ W112ᵒ0’) and in the Darrow Creek meadows area (N59ᵒ25’ W111ᵒ37’) of the park, both in the eastern areas of the park. Wood bison are North America’s largest land mammal. In this park, the predator-prey relationship between wolves and wood bison has continued, unbroken, over time. The whooping crane nesting grounds (N60ᵒ15’ W113ᵒ15’), a Key Biodiversity Area and Important Bird Area, are in the northeastern portion of the park. Extensive salt plains (N59ᵒ50’ W112ᵒ10’) are accessible from Route 5. Other park sites in the Mid-Continental Canadian forests ecoregion are the Birch River (N58ᵒ15’ W113ᵒ25’), Garden River (N58ᵒ43’ W113ᵒ48’), and Peace Point (N59ᵒ8’ W112ᵒ27’).

Wood Buffalo National Park contains the finest example of gypsum karst in North America (N60ᵒ20’ W114ᵒ15’). Other sites are Buffalo Lake (N60ᵒ15’ W115ᵒ20’) and an area of upland tundra (N59ᵒ35’ W114ᵒ50’).

Ramsar Sites in Muskwa-Slave Lake Forests

Hay-Zama Lakes Wildland Provincial Park, Alberta, is a 48,6000-ha wetland complex which provides habitat for up to 1 million waterfowl, including 200,000 ducks and the same number of geese. It is also an Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area. Hay Lake (N58˚50’ W118˚49’) and Zama Lake (N58˚45’ W119˚5’) are the major attractions. There is limited road access from High Level.

Peace-Athabasca Delta (N58˚50’ W112˚0’), within Wood Buffalo National Park, is the largest freshwater delta in the world’s boreal forests, spanning 3 river deltas (Athabasca, Birch, and Peace) and four large freshwater lakes. An Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area, the delta is one of the most important nesting, resting and feeding areas for waterfowl in North America, and is also a wood bison calving ground. Vegetation is open grass and sedge meadows. The delta provides thousands of miles of shoreline for nesting waterfowl from all four flyways. Breeding species include Canada goose, mallard, gadwall, American wigeon, northern pintail, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, northern shoveler, canvasback, whooping crane, bald eagle, and osprey.

Whooping Crane Summer Range (N60ᵒ15’ W113ᵒ15’), is within Wood Buffalo National Park and is the only remaining nesting area for whooping crane. The thousands of marshes, shallow ponds, streams, lakes, and bogs within this area provide habitat at the northern limit of boreal forest. It is an important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area.

The Trans-Canada Trail system includes the Alaska Highway from Pink Mountain to the Muskwa River in this ecoregion.

Ekwan Lake Protected Area (N58⁰30’ W120⁰40’) is 1,892 ha, 175 km southeast of Fort Nelson. White and black spruce forests are on a tributary to the Pontes River, which drains to the Fort Nelson River. Access is by ice road or float plane.

Goguka Creek Protected Area (N58⁰30’ W122⁰41’) is 435 ha on the Alaska Highway south of Fort Nelson. The protected area provides habitat for a wild calla lily and pitcher plant in a stunted black spruce forest.

Hay River Protected Area (N58⁰41’ W120⁰19’) is 2,325 ha of river corridor downstream from the Shekilie River confluence. The area has meadows with black spruce and wetlands, providing habitat or moose and waterfowl. Access is by air only.

Jackpine Remnant Protected Area (N59⁰14’ W123⁰20’) is 148 ha west of Route 77 at the Fort Nelson River crossing. Old growth jack pine is found at the western edge of the species range.

Klua Lakes Protected Area (N58⁰7’ W122⁰20’) is 28,018 ha on unique flat-topped plateaus east of Prophet River and the Alaska Highway. The Klua Lakes are in a basin below a rim of bluffs. The cuesta topography includes lush spruce forests, providing habitat for grizzly bear and trumpeter swan. Access is via trail up Adsett Creek from Prophet River.

Kotcho Lake Ecological Reserve (N59⁰4’ W121⁰6’and N59⁰4’W121⁰5’) is 64 ha on two islands, 100 km northeast of Fort Nelson, featuring nesting areas for three species of gulls and migratory waterfowl. Kotcho Lake (N59⁰4’ W121⁰10’) is an Important Bird Area for canvasbacks, diving and puddle ducks, and tundra and trumpeter swans.

Kotcho Lake Village Site Provincial Park (N59⁰1’ W121⁰5’) is 34 ha at the Kotcho River outlet of Kotcho Lake. Access is via the Helmet Oilfield Road. There are no facilities.

Maxhamish Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area (N59⁰51’ W123⁰20’) is 27,516 ha about 125 km north of Fort Nelson and 12 km west of Route 77. The area provides fishing and wildlife viewing, but there is no road access. The lake is on a tributary to the Petitot River (d”Easum Creek).

Fort Nelson River Ecological Reserve (N58⁰58’ W122⁰31’) is 121 ha in the floodplain of the Fort Nelson River, containing a mature cottonwood forest. It is on the west bank of the Fort Nelson River, 20 km northeast of Fort Nelson. Access is by boat.

Parker Lake Ecological Reserve (N58⁰49’ W122⁰54’) is 259 ha west of Fort Nelson and south of the Alaska Highway, containing a bog with rare plants including Mackenzie’s water hemlock, a lousewort, and pitcher plants.

Prophet River Wayside Provincial Park, British Columbia (N57⁰59’ W122⁰47’) is a 115-ha tract on the Alaska Highway (Route 97). There are no facilities.

Rainbow Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Alberta (N58⁰17’ W119⁰18’), is a 25-ha camping lake on the Hay River, 145 km west of High Level on Route 58, then 45 km south.

Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park and Protected Area is 666,472 ha in the eastern Muskwa Range south and west of the Alaska Highway, 90 km southwest of Fort Nelson. It borders Kwadacha and Stone Mountain Provincial Parks. Given the immense size, access to most of the park is by boat, aircraft, or foot. Most of the park is in the Northern Cordillera forests ecoregion (NA 613). A small portion of the park, along the Tuchodi River at its confluence with the Muskwa (N58⁰20’ W123⁰43’), is in the Muskwa-Slave Lake forests ecoregion.

Scatter River Old Growth Provincial Park (N59⁰38’ W124⁰41’) is 1,178 ha on the Liard River where the river leaves the Northern Cordillera forests ecoregion and descends into the Muskwa-Slave Lake forests ecoregion. Old growth spruce grows in the river bottom at this point. Access is via the road to Norquist Lake. The park adjoins Liard River Corridor Provincial Park.

Sikanni Chief Canyon Provincial Park (N57⁰29’ W122⁰7’) is 4,641 ha in the canyons of the Sikanni Chief and Buckinghorse Rivers. Mountain goats may be seen on the steep cliffs of the canyon.

Sikanni Chief Falls Protected Area, British Columbia (N57⁰15’ W123⁰0’) is 606 ha surrounding a 30-m falls on the Sikanni Chief River. The viewpoint is 15 km west of the Alaska Highway on a four-wheel-drive road, 200 km northwest of Fort St. John. The trail from the end of the road to the viewpoint is 1.5 km.

Sikanni Old Growth Provincial Park (N58⁰14’ W121⁰43’) is 1,440 ha,100 km southeast of Fort nelson on the Sikanni Chief River at the confluence with the Fontas River. The old growth forests are white spruce. No summer road access is available.

Thinahtea North Protected Area is 3,674 ha along the corridor of Thinahtea Creek (north end N59⁰50’ W120⁰7’; south end at Thinahtea Lake, N59⁰44’ W120⁰15’). Forests are of white and boreal spruce and jack pine. The larger Thinahtea South Protected Area adjoins the park to the south. There is no road access.

Thinahtea South Protected Area is 16,705 ha 170 km northeast of Fort Nelson including Thinahtea Lake (N59⁰44’ W120⁰15’) and Thinahtea Creek south to its confluence with the Petitot River (N59⁰35’ W120⁰15’). The mix of white and black spruce along with wetlands provides habitat for moose and trumpeter swans. There is no road access.

Northern Cordillera Forests

Forests consist of boreal, subalpine, and alpine vegetation. Boreal forests are of white and black spruce, lodgepole pine, paper birch, and aspen. Higher elevation subalpine forests are of alpine fir, black spruce, and white spruce. The tundra alpine vegetation is of ericaceous shrubs, birch, and willow. There is discontinuous permafrost on north-facing slopes. An intact predator-prey ecosystem of wolves, grizzly bear, caribou, and moose is present.

Trans-Canada Trail system includes the Alaska Highway through this ecoregion from the Muskwa River to Liard River.

Provincial and Local Sites in the Northern Cordillera Forests

Ed Bird-Estella Lakes Provincial Park is 5, 587 ha on the northern tip of Willliston Lake, 67 km south of Fort Ware on the Russel Forest Service Road. The park lakes are a unique milky turquoise color because of marl or calcium carbonate deposition. This includes the several Estella Lakes (N56⁰57’ W125⁰6’) and Ed Bird Lake (N56⁰54’ W125⁰2’).

Dune Za Keyih Provincial Park and Protected Area is 346,833 ha in the Rocky Mountain trench along the river corridors of the Kechika (south end N58⁰12’ W126⁰31’; north end N58⁰37’ W127⁰0’), Frog (south end N58⁰15’ W127⁰2’; confluence with Kechika N58⁰30’ W126⁰52’), Gataga (east boundary N58⁰9’ W125⁰30’; confluence with Kechika N58⁰35’ W126⁰55’), and South Gataga (N57⁰52’ W125⁰44’) Rivers. Boreal black and white spruce forests are typical of the area. Access is by air.

Finlay-Russel Provincial Park and Protected Area is 122,771 ha around an 85-km river corridor. Along the corridor is a population of stone sheep. The east end is at the Finlay-Fox River confluence (N57⁰26’ W125⁰41’), the southeast end is along Pelly Creek (N57⁰6’ W125⁰51’), the west end is at Mount Cushing (N57⁰39’ W126⁰51’), and the southwest portion is at the Toodoggone River-Finlay confluence (N57⁰23’ W126⁰33’).

Graham-Laurier Provincial Park is 99,982 ha accessible on foot from the Halfway Graham Forest Service Road, 145 km northwest of Fort St. John. Most of the park is in the Central British Columbia mountain forests ecoregion. However, in the north of the park, Mount Laurier (N56⁰47’ W123⁰29’) is in the Northern Cordillera forests ecoregion.

Grayling River Hot Springs Ecological Reserve (N59⁰37’ W125⁰33’) is 1,421 ha, 67 miles northeast of Muncho Lake. On the Grayling River 50 km upstream of its confluence with the Liard River, this hot spring is known as the best in Canada. The tufa formation formed by the springs creates a 20-m cliff at the river. A bat cave in the reserve harbors little brown myotis. The remote area has no road access.

Kwadacha Wilderness Provincial Park is 130,279 ha adjoining the southwest side of Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park. Access is via a 150-km trail from Trutch on the Alaska Highway. The park is known for waterfowl, bears, and lemmings. The eastern side is at the Muskwa River (N57⁰46’ W124⁰38’) and the west side includes Quentin Lake (N57⁰50’ W125⁰17’). The park also includes the Lloyd George Glacier (N57⁰52’ W125⁰0’).

Liard River Corridor Provincial Park and Protected Area is 87,952 ha including the 30-km-long Grand Canyon of the Liard River. Within the canyon are the Rapids of the Drowned and Hells Gate rapids. The park extends from the Deer River confluence with the Liard (N59⁰27’ W125⁰49’) downstream to the Scatter River confluence (N59⁰36’ W124⁰41’). The Grayling (N59⁰21’ W125⁰2’) and the Toad (N59⁰22’ W124⁰55’) Rivers also confluence with the Liard in the park. Access is from Route 97 through Liard River West Corridor Provincial Park, which it adjoins on the west. Adjoining the park on the downstream end is Scatter River Old Growth Provincial Park.

Liard River West Corridor Provincial Park is 1,903 ha from the Trout River confluence (N59⁰24’ W126⁰0’) downstream to the Deer River (N59⁰27’ W125⁰49’). The park also includes the Deer River corridor (N59⁰32’ W125⁰58’). A herd of wood bison frequents the park, which is on the Alaska Highway (Route 97) north of Muncho Lake Provincial Park.

Muncho Lake Provincial Park is 88,420 ha on the Alaska highway. In the southeast portion, the Folded Mountains (N58⁰51’ W125⁰26’) tower above the Alaska Highway. The southern portion of the park is along the Toad River (N58⁰44’ W125⁰44’) and the north end is along the Trout River (N59⁰14’ W125⁰59’). Features of the park are Muncho Lake boat tours, stone sheep viewing, hoodoos, and a mineral lick on the Trout River.

Pink Mountain Provincial Park (N57⁰4’ W122⁰53’) is 92 ha, 180 km northwest of Fort St. John via Route 97 and Road 192. A road allows a rough drive to the top of the mountain. The spruce and lodgepole pine forest is noted as an observation spot for Arctic butterflies at the southern edge of their range. The park was the site of the largest ichthyosaur fossil ever found, a 32-m-long, 220-million-year-old fossil that was a filter feeder like some whales of today (Mikkelsen 2007).

Redfern-Keily Provincial Park includes 80,712 ha of alpine meadows, serrated peaks, glaciers, waterfalls, and natural arches. Ithaca and Achaen Glaciers are within the park. Trails are along Nevis Creek and the Besa River. Major features are Redfern Lake (N57⁰21’ W123⁰53’), Trimble Lake (N57⁰16’ W123⁰35’), and Keily Creek (N57⁰30’ W124⁰0’).

Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park and Protected Area is 666,472 ha in the eastern Muskwa Range south and west of the Alaska Highway, 90 km southwest of Fort Nelson. It borders Kwadacha and Stone Mountain Provincial Parks. Access to most of the park is by boat, aircraft, or foot. The eastern slopes of the Muska Range are steep and covered with boreal white and black spruce. The north end of the park is along the Alaska Highway (N58⁰40’ W124⁰27’), the northwest portion in the Wokkpash Valley (N58⁰28’ W124⁰53’), the southeast portion at Milliken Creek (N57⁰43’ W123⁰23’), and the southwest portion on a Muska River tributary (N57⁰36’ W124⁰23’). The major lake area is at Tuchodi Lakes N58⁰13’ W124⁰30’). Rivers include the Chischa, Muskwa, Tetsa, and Tuchodi Rivers. A small portion of the park, along the Tuchodi River at its confluence with the Muskwa, is in the Muskwa-Slave Lake forests ecoregion.

Scatter River Old Growth Provincial Park (N59⁰38’ W124⁰41’) is 1,178 ha on the Liard River where the river leaves the Northern Cordillera forests ecoregion and descends into the Muskwa-Slave Lake forests ecoregion. Old growth spruce grows in the river bottom at this point. Access is via the road to Norquist Lake. The park adjoins Liard River Corridor Provincial Park.

Sikanni Chief River Ecological Reserve (N57⁰17’ W124⁰7’) is 2,401 ha, 190 km northwest of Hudson’s Hope. Access is by float plane. The park is in the alpine zone and features jagged peaks, cliffs, talus slopes, cirque basins, and moraines. Hoodoos are on the Besa River near Mount Dopp.

Stone Mountain Provincial Park (N58⁰39’ W124⁰43’) is 25,690 ha at the highest point on the Alaska Highway 140 km west of Fort Nelson. The park centers on MacDonald Valley, a U-shaped glaciated valley. From the valley a 70 km loop trek extends south to the Wokkpash Valley in Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park. At the head of the North Tetsa River are glacial outwash features. The park also features hoodoos, alpine lakes, and wildflowers.

Toad River Hot Springs Provincial Park (N58⁰56’ W125⁰5’) is 423 ha, 160 km west of Fort Nelson, at the confluence of the Toad River and Racing Rivers. Access is by river boat.

This posts includes information about three ecoregions north of the 50th parallel that are in the coastal area of British Columbia–British Columbia Mainland Coastal Forests, Central Pacific Coastal Forests, and Puget Lowland Forests.

British Columbia Mainland coastal forests (NA506)

The most extensive mountain fiord complex in the world exists where the Cascades, Kitimat, and Ness Ranges meet the sounds of the inland passage north of Vancouver. At low elevations, typical forests are of western hemlock, western red cedar, and amabilis fir (Pacific silver fir). At higher elevations, mountain hemlock, amabilis fir, and yellow cedar. Sedge-dominated meadows are at tundra levels. Animals include black-tailed deer, grizzly bear, and mountain goat. A small portion of this ecoregion north of the 50th parallel and east of the 126th meridian is included here, with an expanded description planned in the future.

National Sites

The Trans-Canada Trail system in the British Columbia Mainland coastal forests includes the Sea to Sky Trail, which is 81 km in length from Squamish to Whistler (N50⁰7’ W122⁰58’) via Brandywine Falls Provincial Park (N50⁰1’ W123⁰8’).

Provincial and local sites

Bishop River Provincial Park (N50ᵒ54’ W124ᵒ0’) is a 19,947-ha property adjoining the south end of Ts’il?os Provincial Park. The park is road-less and trail-less. A small northern edge of the park is within the Cascade Mountains leeward forests ecoregion. The remainder is in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal Forests ecoregion.

Blackcomb Glacier Provincial Park (N50⁰5’ W122⁰52’) is a 250-ha property adjacent to Garibaldi Provincial Park which includes the upper portions of a glacier.

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park (N50ᵒ2’ W123ᵒ7’) is a 420-ha park on Route 99 north of Squamish. A 70-m waterfall, basalt columns, and lava flows are just upstream from Daisy Lake. The park on the Cheakamus River also has habitat for rare red-legged frogs.

Callaghan Conservancy (N50ᵒ11’ W123ᵒ14’) is an 8,081-ha Nordic sports venue adjoining Callaghan Lake Provincial Park on the north. It was the host of the 2010 Nordic sports venue at the Winter Olympics. There is a lodge, trails, and snowshoe and ski trails.

Callaghan Lake Provincial Park (N50ᵒ12’ W123ᵒ11’) is a 2,667-ha park accessible from Route 99, 20km south of Whistler. With the Callaghan Conservancy, the park was the host of the 2010 Nordic sports venue at the Winter Olympics.

Clendinning Provincial Park is a 30,330-ha landscape with ancient forests, meadows, glaciated peaks, a hanging valley, and icefalls off the Squamish Forest Service Road. The Elaho Valley contains Douglas-fir more than 1,000 years old and ancient red cedar trees also. The south end of the park is at the confluence of the Elaho River and Suns Creek (N50ᵒ15’ W123ᵒ35’) and the north end is on Clendinning Creek (N50ᵒ32’ W123ᵒ58’).

Desolation Sound (south end N50⁰0’ W124⁰43’; north end N50⁰19’ W124⁰45’) is an Important Bird Area for marbled murrelet in the summer season. Other notable birds are surf scoters, goldeneye, Bonaparte’s gull, and harlequin duck. Protected areas within the IBA are East Redonda Island Ecological Reserve, Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, Malaspina Provincial Park, and Roscoe Bay Marine Provincial Park.

Dzawadi/Klinaklini Estuary Conservancy (N51⁰6’ W125⁰37’) is 629 ha at the head of Knight Inlet, adjacent to First Nations land. The estuary is where eulachon, an anadromous fish, is harvested.

Dzawadi/Upper Klinaklini River Conservancy and Upper Klinaklini Protected Area are 39,241 ha on the Klinaklini River corridor and tributary rivers. The area is an ecologically unique north-south trans-mountain valley. The north end of the corridor is on the North Klinaklini River (N51⁰53’ W125⁰45’, the northeast end is on the Klinaklini River (N51⁰49’ W125⁰20’), and the south end is on the Klinaklini River (N51⁰26’ W125⁰40’). Above the valley on both sides are glaciers.

Upper Elaho Valley Conservancy (N50ᵒ29’ W123ᵒ35’) is 10,253 ha in a valley with an 80-m-deep canyon with sheer volcanic rock cliffs. It adjoins Clendinning Provincial Park to the south.

Garibaldi Provincial Park is one of the larger parks in the mainland coastal forests ecoregion, encompassing 194,676 ha and the Polemonium, Spearhead, Fitzsimmons, and McBride Ranges. The park is 65% alpine tundra, with the remainder mountain hemlock and coastal western hemlock forest types. Garibaldi Lake is surrounded by glacial and volcanic scenery such as Black Tusk and the Table. The extent of the park is the Bastion Range in the northeast (N50⁰14’ W122⁰35’), North Sloquet Creek in the southeast (N49⁰44’ W122⁰23’), Green River in the northwest (N50⁰14’W122⁰51’), and Diamond Head in the southwest (N49⁰45’ W123⁰1’). There are 5 park access points, all from Route 99.

Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake entrance (N49⁰57’ W123⁰3’) provides access to the Sphinx Glacier, and Sentinel Glacier. The Barrier feature which holds back Garibaldi Lake is considered unstable

Cheakamus Lake (N50⁰1’ W122⁰57’)

Singing Pass (N50⁰2’ W122⁰53’) is accessed from Whistler Village and features views of Fitzsimmons and Spearhead Ranges and Cheakamus Glacier.

Wedgemount Lake (N50⁰10’ W122⁰49’) is encircled by the Wedgemount and Armchair Glaciers. There is also a 300-meter-high waterfall in this area.

Homathko Estuary Provincial Park (N50ᵒ56’ W124ᵒ51’) is on the east side of the Homathko River and includes the lower 500 m of the Teaquahan River. A small area of old growth forest is in this park at the head of Bute Inlet.

Homathko River-Tatlayoko Protected Area is 17,575 ha along the river corridors of the Homathko River, Tatlayoko Lake, Ottarasko River, and Mosley Creek. The park protects low elevation coastal rainforests and wetlands as well as icefields. There are grizzly bears and trumpeter swans. The park is accessed fro Route 20 near Tatla Lake. Most of the park is in the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests ecoregion but the south end on the Homathko River (N51ᵒ14’ W124ᵒ57’) is in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal forests ecoregion.

I7Ioqaw/100 Lakes Plateau Conservancy (N50⁰31’ W123⁰32’) is 1,030 ha adjacent to the Upper Elaho Valley Conservancy. The site includes Fish Lake. Wetlands are used by waterfowl, and habitat is available for grizzly, moose, and deer.

K’zuzalt/Twin Two Conservancy (N50⁰15’ W122⁰24’) is 2,095 ha, including the entire Twin Two watershed from Lillooet Lake to the headwaters. The old growth forest is in the Lil’wat Nation traditional territory and made available for traditional uses. Lillooet Lake lodge is adjacent to the conservancy.

Upper Lillooet Provincial Park (N50ᵒ40’ W123ᵒ40’) is 19,996 ha of old growth forests, alpine ridges, and glaciers 150 km north of Vancouver. It is at the headwaters of the Lillooet River and accessible from the Upper Lillooet Forest Service Road. Streams in the park are fed by the Lillooet, Mosaic, and Job Glaciers. The park includes the Manatee River watershed and is part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, with recent activity 2,400 years before present.

Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ12’ W123ᵒ46’) is 964 ha at the end of a granite-walled fjord. The landscape rises sharply from sea level to 7,000 feet. Over 60 waterfalls enter the fjord. Princess Louisa inlet includes a trail to 40-m Chatterbox Falls on Loquill’s Creek. The park is accessible by scheduled tourboats from Egmont.

Mehatl Creek Provincial Park is 23,860 ha 50 km west of Route 1 at Boston Bar. The park features alpine ridges and old growth forests. The north end includes the Mehatl Creek drainage (N50ᵒ6’ W122ᵒ12’) and the south end features a trail to Mehatl Falls (N49ᵒ56’ W121ᵒ58’). The eastern edge of the park is in the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests ecoregion.

Mkwal’ts Conservancy (N50⁰16’ W122⁰37’) is 3,874 ha between the Garibaldi Provincial Park and Lillooet Lake. The area is old growth forest in the Ure Creek watershed.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park (N50⁰18’ W122⁰49’) is 170 ha on Route 99 south of Pemberton. Along the Green River is a forest of western hemlock, western redcedar, and Pacific dogwood.

Palemin/Estero Basin Conservancy (N50ᵒ31’ W125ᵒ11’) is a 2,978-ha preserve at the head of a fjord.

Phillips Estuary/NACINUXw Conservancy (N50ᵒ36’ W125ᵒ21’) is a 1,461-ha preserve 53 km north of Campbell River. It includes parts of the Phillips Lake and lower Phillips River at the head of Phillips Arm.

Read Island Provincial Park (N50ᵒ9’ W125ᵒ8’) is 637 ha facing the Sutil Channel with old growth, bogs, and Rosen Lake. The park is at the southern tip of Read Island.

East Redonda Island Ecological Reserve (N50ᵒ14’ W124ᵒ41’) is a 6,212-ha tract of coastal western hemlock and mountain hemlock on Mount Addenbroke about 40 km northwest of Powell River. The area provides marbled murrelet nesting areas, and contains rock art on cliffs near the ocean. The park is included in the Desolation Sound Important Bird Area for marbled murrelet.

Rendezvous Island South Provincial Park (N50ᵒ16’ W125ᵒ2’) is 163 ha in Calm Channel. The old growth rainforest park is on the BC Marine Trail.

Roscoe Bay Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ9’ W124ᵒ46’) is 247 ha in a small fjord on the east side of West Redonda Island. The park includes part of Black Lake and is known for congregations of moon jellies. The park is included in the Desolation Sound Important Bird Area for marbled murrelet.

Upper Soo Conservancy (N50ᵒ15’ W123ᵒ11’) is 11,306 ha of old growth forest to the north of Callaghan Lake Provincial Park. The park includes the Soo River and is home to mountain goat and grizzly bear.

Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park is a 107,191-ha roadless area jointly managed by BC Parks and the Lytton First Nation. The park boundary encompasses the entire watershed of the Stein River, a scenic and culturally significant resource. The park is primarily in the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests with a small portion in the southwest in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal forests ecoregion. Tundra Lake (N50ᵒ9’ W122ᵒ16’) in the southwestern portion of the park is in the British Columbia Mainland coastal forests.

Surge Narrows Provincial Park (N50ᵒ14’ W125ᵒ9’) is 488 ha with tidal rapids. The park at the south end of Maurelle Island includes Peek and Goepel Islands as well as the eastern shore of Quadra Island.

Teakerne Arm Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ12’ W124ᵒ51’) is 128 ha on West Redonda Island. Cassel Falls enters the ocean in the park and a trail leads to the top of the falls.

Thurston Bay Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ21’ W125ᵒ19’) is 531 ha on Sonora Island in Johnstone Straight. A trail leads to Florence Lake. The park includes Davis Point, Edward Point, and Block Island plus water in two tracts separated by the Cetan/Thurston Bay Conservancy.

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is 989,616 ha, an immense area mostly in the Fraser Plateau and Basin. The southern part of the park is in the Cascade Mountains leeward °forests ecoregion, and the western edge is in the British Columbia mainland coastal forest ecoregion. The river corridor in the western edge of the park which includes the Talchako River (N52⁰8’ W125⁰56’) and Bella Coola River is in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal Forest ecoregion. The trailhead for the Alexander Mackenzie Historic Trail (N52⁰26’ W126⁰11’) is also in this ecoregion. Access to the park is 400 km west of Williams Lake on Route 20.

Walsh Cove Provincial Park (N50ᵒ16’ W124ᵒ48’) is 85 ha on West Redonda Island on the Waddington Channel. The park includes the Gorges Islands and False Passage.

Xwakwe?naxde?ma/Stafford Estuary Conservancy (N50°42′ W125°26′) is 742 ha where the lower Apple River and Stafford River enter the sound.

Central Pacific coastal forests (NA510)

This ecoregion includes the most productive forests in the world, bathed in frequent clouds and fog. Immediately along the Pacific Coast is a narrow band of Sitka spruce forest. Inland are Douglas-fir and western hemlock, grand fir, and amabilis fir (Pacific silver fir). Dry areas are characterized by Garry oak, Pacific dogwood, and arbutis.

Elk Falls Provincial Park (N50ᵒ3’ W125ᵒ19’) is 1,055 ha at the town of Campbell River. There are three waterfalls on the Campbell River; water levels depend on the operations of the BC Hydro John Hart Generating Facility. The park also includes the Quinsam Salmon Hatchery.

Morton Lake Provincial Park (N50⁰8’ W125⁰29’) is 74 ha and includes Morton Lake and some shoreline of the nearby Mohun Lake. In addition to lake fishing the park is part of a 47-mile paddle and portage circuit. The trail to Andrew Lake starts in the park.

Rock Bay Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ19’ W125ᵒ27’) is 525 ha on Vancouver Island, including a rocky headland and Otter Cove and Rock Bay. Islands in the park include Limestone Island and Rocky Islets. The site is the junction of the Discovery Passage and Johnstone Straight.

Puget lowland forests (NA524)

This description covers the northern tip of this ecoregion, which includes the mouth of the Fraser River, Vancouver, and the San Juan Islands. The Mediterranean-like climate is in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains and habitats range from grasslands to moist forests dominated by western red cedar, hemlock, Douglas fir, Garry oak, and Pacific dogwood.

Copeland Islands Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ0’ W124ᵒ49’) is 437 ha encompassing a chain of 24 islands and islets off the Malaspina Peninsula. The Copeland and Townley Island groups are included in the park, which has rugged forested terrain and bedrock outcrops.

Desolation Sound (south end N50⁰0’ W124⁰43’; north end N50⁰19’ W124⁰45’) is an Important Bird Area for marbled murrelet in the summer season. Other notable birds are surf scoters, goldeneye, Bonaparte’s gull, and harlequin duck. Protected areas within the IBA are East Redonda Island Ecological Reserve, Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, Malaspina Provincial Park, and Roscoe Bay Marine Provincial Park.

Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ6’ W124ᵒ42’) is 8,449 ha of dense forests and rugged terrain with bedrock outcrops. It includes the Gifford Peninsula and Unwin Lake. A small portion on the Malaspina Peninsula (N50ᵒ2’ W124ᵒ47’) includes a section of the Sunshine Coast Trail. The park is included in the Desolation Sound Important Bird Area for marbled murrelet.

Main Lake Provincial Park (N50ᵒ13’ W125ᵒ13’) is 3,530 ha on Quadra Island. There are limestone sinkholes, waterfalls, and pictographs. Interconnected lakes for canoeing include Little Main, Main, Mine, Village Bay, Stramberg, and Clear.

Malaspina Provincial Park is 572 ha not accessible by road on the Malaspina Peninsula north of Luna. The length of the park is traversed by the Sunshine Coast Trail. The south end of the park is on Trevenen Bay (N50ᵒ1’ W124ᵒ44’) and the north end is at Sarah Point (N50ᵒ4’ W124ᵒ50’). The park is included in the Desolation Sound Important Bird area for marbled murrelet.

Mansons Landing Provincial Park (N50ᵒ4’ W124ᵒ59’) is 100 ha including Hague Lake, a sand spit, and lagoon. The park on Cortes Island includes an interpretive trail.

Octopus Islands Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ16’ W125ᵒ14’) is 762 ha on the northern portion of Quadra Island on Waiatt Bay and the Bodega Anchorage. Vegetation is coastal western hemlock.

Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ6’ W125ᵒ11’) is 177 ha on a 2-km sand spit at Heriot Bay. It shelters Drew Harbor on the east side of Quadra Island. There are 3 km of trails and a boat launch.

Small Inlet Marine Provincial Park (N50ᵒ15’ W125ᵒ17’) is 878 ha at the head of Kanish Bay on the northern portion of Quadra Island. There is a trail to Newton Lake.

Smelt Bay Provincial Park (N50ᵒ2’ W125ᵒ0’) is 20 ha and includes a campground on Cortes Island. Capelen fish (smelt) spawn in the area in October.

Surge Narrows Provincial Park (N50ᵒ14’ W125ᵒ9’) is 488 ha with tidal rapids. The park at the south end of Maurelle Island includes Peek and Goepel Islands as well as the eastern shore of Quadra Island.

The east side of the Cascades and Chilcotin Ranges grade from montane forests to near-desert grasslands. Montane forests of lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, white spruce, and Douglas-fir grade into low-elevation parklands of ponderosa pine, bunchgrass and sagebrush. Animals include bighorn sheep, mountain goat, grizzly bear, black-tailed deer and coyote. The ecoregion is also home to the endangered spotted owl. Included in this ecoregion are the Marble Range and Lillooet Range along the Fraser River. Downing and Marble Canyon Provincial Parks host unusual freshwater stromatolites. Other scenic sites are Big Creek, Marble Range, Stein Valley, and Ts’il?os Provincial Parks. In the 2017 ecoregions update, the southern portion of this ecoregion was merged with the Okanagan Dry Forests and the northern portion (Big Creek Provincial Park and north) with the Fraser Plateau and Basin Forests. However, it has been retained here because the ecoregion retains the dramatic mountains, glaciers and alpine lakes that are not found in the drier and less precipitous areas to the east.

The following are major features of the ecoregion north of latitude 50 degrees. Sites south of 50 degrees are in a January 2, 2016, post and also viewable at sites.google.com/site/enviroramble.

Bedard Aspen Provincial Park (N50⁰40’ W121⁰31’) is 173 ha found southwest of Cache Creek. Geology includes lava flows and limestone. There are grasslands with aspen and Douglas-fir forests.

Big Bar Lake Provincial Park (N51⁰19’ W121⁰49’) is 368 ha located 42 km northwest of Clinton via gravel roads through the Cariboo ranching country. Forests are of old growth Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and spruce. Most of the park is in the Fraser Plateau ecoregion, but the southern slopes of the park are in the Cascade Mountains Eastern Slopes ecoregion, which includes the Marble Range that towers over the park.

Big Creek Provincial Park is a 67,918-ha preserve encompassing much of the Big Creek watershed. It includes the flat forested Chilcotin Plateau in the Fraser Plateau and Basin ecoregion in the north (N51ᵒ29’ W123ᵒ7’) as well as dramatic mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes in the south (51ᵒ7’ W123ᵒ10’). There are extensive wetlands and moose habitat, and fossil beds on Elbow Mountain (N51ᵒ9’ W123ᵒ7’). Access is from Route 20 at Riske Creek via a logging road.

Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park (N50⁰32’ W122⁰42’) is 10,439 ha in the Sockeye Creek drainage 22 km west of D’Arcy. Access is via gravel road. There are four trails along the lake and to Goat Lookout.

Bishop River Provincial Park (N50ᵒ54’ W124ᵒ0’) is a 19,947-ha property adjoining the south end of Ts’il?os Provincial Park. The park is roadless and trail-less. A small northern edge of the park is within the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests ecoregion. The remainder is in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal Forests ecoregion.

Bridge River Hydroelectric Project consists of three dams and reservoirs, as well as a canal and powerhouse on the Fraser River (N50ᵒ40’ W121ᵒ55’). The Seton Dam and Reservoir (N50ᵒ40’ W121ᵒ59’) provides water to a diversion canal leading to the Bridge Powerhouse No. 1 on the Fraser River. Terzaghi Dam and Carpenter Reservoir (N50ᵒ47’ W122ᵒ13’) and Lajoie Dam and Downton Reservoir (N50ᵒ50’ W122ᵒ51’) are on the Bridge River.

Butler Peak and Lake Trail (N51⁰46’ W124⁰42’), BC Sites and Trails, extends 11 km from a trailhead north of Bluff Lake in the Fraser Plateau and Basin ecoregion and extends to Butler Lake. A spur climbs south to Butler Peak.

South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park is 56,796 ha with 200 km of trails to valleys, alpine meadows, and ridges. It includes the watershed of Lizard, Leckie and Gun Creeks and is located 150 km north of Whistler and 95 km west of Lillooet. The south end of the park is accessed 12 km north of Highway 40 at Jewell Bridge Trailhead (N50ᵒ55’ W122ᵒ55’). The northern end is near Relay Creek (N51ᵒ11’ W122ᵒ59’), the west end is near Nichols Creek (N50ᵒ59’ W123ᵒ21’), and the eastern end is Tayaughton Creek (N51ᵒ3’ W122ᵒ48’).

Chromium Creek-Emerald Lake Trail (N51⁰48’ W125⁰4’) is a 4-km trail through open alpine country in the Pantheon Range. The trail drops to Emerald Lake on the Klinaklini River.

Cornwall Hills Provincial Park (N50⁰42’ W121⁰28’) is 1,235 ha about 15 km southwest of Cache Creek. The park is known for Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir with grasslands hosting wildflowers in July and August.

Downing Provincial Park (N51⁰0’ W121⁰47’) adjoins Edge Hills Provincial Park on the south. This 139-ha park is 18 km southwest of Clinton on Kelly Lake Road. Kelly Lake within the park contains stromatolites, which are also found in Marble Canyon Provincial Park, but are mostly known in the fossil record and only exist elsewhere in saltwater environments in Western Australia.

Duffey Lake Provincial Park (N50⁰25’ W122⁰17’) is 4,048 ha on Route 99 about 35 km east of Pemberton. It includes alpine areas on Mount Rohr.

Goldpan Provincial Park (N50⁰21’ W121⁰23’) is 5 ha along Route 1 about 10 km south of Spences Bridge. The campground and fishing park is also used for river rafting.

Haller and Grinder Trails (N51⁰11’ W122⁰0’), BC Parks and Trails, are two loops totaling 40 km between the Marble Range and the Fraser River canyon. The trails traverse the Kostering Creek Area.

Harry Lake Aspen Provincial Park (N50⁰48’ W121⁰32’) is 330 ha located 40 km west of Cache Creek. Grassland and Douglas fir-aspen vegetation is found in the park. Geology is basalt in the north and sandstone and limestone elsewhere. The park is south of Route 99, the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Homathko River-Tatlayoko Protected Area is 17,575 ha along the river corridors of the Homathko River, Tatlayoko Lake, Ottarasko River, and Mosley Creek. The park protects low elevation coastal rainforests and wetlands as well as icefields. There are grizzly bears and trumpeter swans. The park is accessed from Route 20 near Tatla Lake. Most of the park is in the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests ecoregion, including the north end at Tatlayoko Lake (N51ᵒ39’ W124ᵒ25’), the Ottarasko River arm (N51ᵒ31’ W124ᵒ34’), and the Mosley Creek section (N51ᵒ34’ W125ᵒ1’). The southern portions are in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal forests ecoregion.

Marble Canyon Provincial Park (N50⁰52’ W121⁰44’) is 355 ha along Route 99 about 40 km northwest of Cache Creek. The limestone canyon has cliffs about 1 km high. There are three lakes—Crown, Pavilion, and Turquoise. Pavilion Lake has stromatolites. These are the largest freshwater stromatolites known, and they started forming about 11,000 years ago. The lake is slightly alkaline. Turquoise Lake is fed by a waterfall.

Marble Range Provincial Park includes 17,920 ha of an unusual mountain range for British Columbia—one made of limestone. There are caves, sinkholes, cliffs, chasms, and crenulated ridges. The park is located between Clinton and Fraser Canyon. Vegetation of old growth Douglas fir, spruce, and lodgepole pine is found at lower elevations, with subalpine parklands and tundra at higher elevations. The northern edge of the park is near Jesmond Lookout (N51⁰18’ W121⁰54’) and the southern end is south of Mount Soues on Gabriel Creek (N51⁰3’ W121⁰44’).

Mehatl Creek Provincial Park is 23,860 ha 50 km west of Route 1 at Boston Bar. The park features alpine ridges and old growth forests. Most of the park is in the British Columbia Mainland coastal forests ecoregion.

Nahatlatch Provincial Park (N50⁰0’ W121⁰43’) is 1,695 ha along the Nahatlatch River 25 km northwest of Boston Bar. The river has challenging rapids for kayakers, along with mountain peaks and glaciers.

North Potato Trail (north end N51⁰39’ W124⁰21’; south end N51⁰29’ W124⁰21’), Tsilhqot’in National Government, begins at the scenic Tatlayoko Lake valley, then follows the crest of the Potato Range. Alpine areas are a harvest area for wild potatoes.

Seton Portage Historic Provincial Park (N50ᵒ42’ W122ᵒ17’) is 0.7 ha on the Seton River between Seton and Anderson Lakes. The site commemorates the first railway in British Columbia, 1861.

Skihist Ecological Reserve (N50⁰16’ W121⁰31’) is 36 ha located 5 km northeast of Lytton on the Thompson River, adjacent to Route 1. An undisturbed ponderosa pine-grassland is located where the river canyon cuts through the northern end of the Cascade Range.

Skihist Provincial Park (N50⁰15’ W121⁰31’) is 386 ha located 8 km east of Lytton on the Thompson River. There are 8 km of trails to canyon overlooks. Remnants of the Cariboo Wagon Road, built 1862-1865, are in the park.

Soap Lake Ecological Reserve (N50⁰23’ W121⁰19’) is 884 ha located 3 km southeast of Spences Bridge. The 9-ha alkaline lake has a pH of 9.1. There are encrusted salts adjoining the lake. The area protects plants adapted to high alkalinity.

Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park is a 107,191-ha roadless area jointly managed by BC Parks and the Lytton First Nation. The park boundary encompasses the entire watershed of the Stein River, a scenic and culturally significant resource. The park is primarily in the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests with a small portion in the southwest in the British Columbia Mainland Coastal forests ecoregion. Along the Stein River are rock art paintings, especially at Asking Rock near the main trailhead. There are 150 km of trails. From the trailhead near Lytton (N50ᵒ16’ W121ᵒ38’), a trail winds upstream to Cottonwood Falls (N50ᵒ19’ W121ᵒ58’). From there, one trail ascends Blowdown Pass (N50ᵒ22’ W122ᵒ9’) and a second follows the river upstream to Tundra Lake (N50ᵒ9’ W122ᵒ16’) before exiting the park. A route called the Stein Traverse follows high mountains and is only recommended from mid-July through Mid-September.

Ts’il?os Provincial Park is 233,240 ha of mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows and waterfalls. The northern access from Tatla Lake (N51ᵒ37’ W124ᵒ9’) is within the Fraser Plateau and Basin ecoregion. This northern portion of the park is subject to the landrights of the Tsilhqot’in Nation. The eastern access to Chilko Lake (N51ᵒ25’ W124ᵒ7’) is from Hanceville. The remote southern portions include the Lord River (N51ᵒ0’ W123ᵒ35’). The park is managed under a Memorandum of Agreement with the Yeni Gwet’in Nation. Access is by road from Williams Lake (160 km). Most of the park is in the Cascade Mountains Leeward Forests ecoregion (NA 507). The park includes Chilko Lake, the largest high-elevation freshwater lake in Canada. Other features are the Chilcotin Range, Friendly Peak, Tchaikazan River, and Five Brothers Peaks. Bishop Run Provincial Park adjoins the property on the south.

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is 989,616 ha, an immense area mostly in the Fraser Plateau and Basin. The southern part of the park is in the Cascade Mountains leeward forests ecoregion, and the western edge is in the British Columbia mainland coastal forest ecoregion. The south end of the park is at Knot Lake (N51⁰54’ W125⁰43’) and the north end is at Ootsa Lake (N53⁰49’ W126⁰25’). In the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests portion of the park, south of Route 20, a trail leads to Hunlen Falls (N52⁰17’ W125⁰46’) and the Turner Lakes chain, a canoe route. Caribou Mountain, another hiking area, is also in this ecoregion. Access to the park is 400 km west of Williams Lake on Route 20. After entering the park from the east, Route 20 descends 4,000 feet in 16 km.

The Fraser Plateau is drained by the Fraser River and its tributaries and extends from just south of Stuart Lake to the Marble and Chilcotin Ranges. Several isolated shield volcanoes are in the western portions of the plateau, including the Rainbow, Ilgachuz, and Itcha Ranges. These Miocene-age structures are dome-like piles of lava. Vegetation includes forests of lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce, aspen, white spruce, and Douglas-fir. Migratory waterfowl use the lakes and rivers for nesting. Grasslands are common along the Fraser River in the rain shadow of the coast ranges. The northern and northeastern portions of this ecoregion were moved to the Central British Columbia Mountain forests in the Ecoregions 2017 update.

National sites in the Fraser Plateau and Basin

Nechako River Migratory Bird Sanctuary (N54⁰1’ W124⁰1’), is 183 ha of river islands near Vanderhoof which attract large numbers of Canada geese.

Xats’ull Heritage Village (N52⁰20’ W122⁰17’) is 35 km north of Williams Lake off Route 97. Cultural tours are provided by Northern Shushwap-Xatsull First Nations guides.

Provincial and Local areas in the Fraser Plateau and Basin

Alexis Creek Trail System (N52⁰6’ W123⁰16’), BC Sites and Trails, is a 10-km network on Stum Lake Road north of Route 20.

Beaumont Provincial Park (N54⁰3’ W124⁰37’) is the 178-ha site of historic Fort Fraser, dating to 1806. On Route 16 is the Fraser Mountain Lookout Trail. The park has camping and beach sites. The park is part of the Fraser Lake Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area.

Big Bar Lake Provincial Park (N51⁰19’ W121⁰49’) is 368 ha located 42 km northwest of Clinton via gravel roads through the Cariboo ranching country. A 4-km interpretive trail leads to Otter Marsh at the upper end of the lake, past eskers and kettle lakes. Forests are of old growth Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and spruce. The southern slopes of the park are in the Cascade Mountains Eastern Slopes ecoregion, which includes the Marble Range that towers over the park.

Big Bar Trail System (N51⁰10’ W121⁰32’), BC sites and trails, is adjacent to Route 97 on the Green Timber Plateau and provides views of Marble Range and Fiftyone Creek Canyon.

Big Creek Ecological Reserve (N51ᵒ50’ W122ᵒ42’) is a 257-ha grassland at the confluence of the Chilcotin River and Big Creek. The park protected ungrazed bluebunch wheatgrass and contains a lava escarpment with talus slopes. Animals include the white-throated swift, California bighorn sheep, and sharp-tailed grouse. The park is included in the Chilcotin Junction Important Bird Area for flammulated owl and long-billed curlew.

Big Creek Provincial Park is a 67,918-ha preserve encompassing much of the Big Creek watershed. It includes the flat forested Chilcotin Plateau in the north (N51ᵒ29’ W123ᵒ7’) as well as dramatic mountains and alpine lakes in the Cascade Mountains Leeward forests ecoregion in the south (51ᵒ7’ W123ᵒ10’). There are extensive wetlands and moose habitat. Access is from Route 20 at Riske Creek via a logging road.

Bobtail Mountain Provincial Park (N53⁰41’ W123⁰22’) is 1,360 ha on the Gregg Creek Forest Service Road 55 km southwest of Prince George. A 5-km trail leads to key viewpoints on the summit. The park contains an area of serpentine soils with maidenhair fern vegetation.

Bridge Lake Provincial Park (N51⁰29’ W120⁰42’) is 405 ha on a large lake on Route 24, 50 km east of 100-Mile House. There are two tracts on the shoreline, and the park also includes all the islands in the lake.

Bull Canyon Provincial Park (N52ᵒ5’ W123ᵒ22’) is a 343-ha camping park on the Chilcotin River in a lava canyon on Route 20 west of Alexis Creek. A walking trail leads past caves with bat habitat.

Burns Lake Provincial Park (N54⁰12’ W125⁰43’) is a 65-ha aspen and cottonwood forest 4 km south of the town of Burns Lake. There are no facilities, but it is planned as a future campground serving Route 16.

Butler Peak and Lake Trail (N51⁰46’ W124⁰42’), BC site and trails, is a 11-km trail system with a trailhead north of Bluff Lake. A spur leads 2 km to Butler Peak in the Cascades Mountains Leeward forests ecoregion.

Cardiff Mountain Ecological Reserve (N51ᵒ29’ W123ᵒ46’) is a 72-ha site west of the Nemaiah Valley. The escarpment on site contains the best columnar basalt formation in British Columbia. Rare ferns grow in rocky crevasses. The site is subject to landrights of the Tsilhqot’in Nation.

Cariboo Nature Provincial Park (N51⁰53’ W121⁰40’) is 89 ha on Route 97 north of Lac La Hache Provincial Park. The park includes Woodfrog Lake and a portion of the San Jose River along with old Douglas-fir forests and a small alkaline lake.

Chasm Ecological Preserve (N51⁰14’ W121⁰30’) is 197 ha on Route 97 about 19 km north of Clinton. It was established to protect one of the northernmost stands of ponderosa pine.

Chasm Provincial Park (N51⁰10’ W121⁰25’) is 3,067 ha about 4 km east of Route 97. The park includes a gorge along Chasm Creek and a section of the Bonaparte River. This lava canyon has brown, yellow, purple, and red rocks amid ponderosa pine vegetation. The 8-km-long, 300-m-deep chasm was carved by glacial meltwater. An esker stretches 40 km upstream.

Chilako River Ecological Reserve (N53⁰32’ W123⁰58’) is 64 ha on the Nechako Plateau 54 km south of Vanderhoof. It protects the most southerly stand of larch in British Columbia. Black spruce near the southern limit of its range also occurs.

Chilanko Marsh Wildlife Management Area (N52⁰7’ W124⁰8’) is 883 ha in the floodplain of the Chilanko River off Route 20. Habitat for waterfowl, moose, furbearers is protected.

Churn Creek Protected Area is 36,100 ha of bunchgrass grasslands on terraces, kettle lakes, hoodoos and the canyon of the Fraser River, located 60 km southeast of Williams Lake or west of Clinton. This northernmost extent of grasslands in British Columbia is managed for grassland conservation while supporting an operating ranch. Wildlife includes mule deer and bighorn sheep herds, as well as Barrow’s goldeney and other waterfowl. There are also First Nations winter village sites. The southern extent includes the Camelsfoot Range. Localities include Churn Creek (N51ᵒ31’ W122ᵒ25’), Empire Valley (N51ᵒ25’ W122ᵒ17’), and Lone Cabin Creek (N51ᵒ18’ W122ᵒ25’).

Dead Man’s Island Provincial Park (N54⁰12’ W125⁰44’) is a one-ha island in Burns Lake. There are no facilities.

Ellis Island Ecological Reserve (N54⁰4’W124⁰43’) is a 1-ha gull nesting colony in Fraser Lake. There are herring and ring-billed gulls, Caspian terns, and other waterfowl. This area is part of the Fraser Lake Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area.

Doc English Bluff Ecological Reserve (N51ᵒ56’ W122ᵒ16’) is a 52-ha tract on the Fraser River, 24 km southwest of Williams Lake. The property contains a prominent limestone bluff with rare ferns, mosses and vascular plants like Draba and Potentilla species. There are unique caves and sinkholes, and habitat for golden eagle and white-throated swift. The park is included in the Chilcotin Junction Important Bird Area for flammulated owl and long-billed curlew.

Entiako Provincial Park and Protected Area is 126,032 ha of rolling topography with steeper hills in the Fawnie Mountains on the east side. It borders Tweedsmuir Provincial Park on the southwest. The east end is at Tutial Mountain (N53⁰19’ W125⁰8’), west end is at Tetachuck Lake (N53⁰15’ W126⁰5’), and the south end is at Entiako River (N53⁰1’ W125⁰45’). Hiking is available on the Bella Coola Trail. Forests of pine include abundant lichen. Cariboo winter in the area. Access is across from the Nechako River. A patch of grassland (N53⁰16’ W125⁰27’) is downstream from Entiak Lake, with rare species of oatgrass and small-flowered penstemon.

Fraser Lake (N54⁰5’ W124⁰43’) is an Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area for wintering trumpeter swans and fall migrants, including American wigeon, ducks, geese, and swans. Beaumont Provincial Park and Ellis Island Ecological Reserve are part of the IBA.

Fraser River Provincial Park (N53⁰28’ W122⁰45’) is a 4,900-ha wilderness preserve on the west side of the Fraser River about 35 km south of Prince George. The park includes the Jacks Creek watershed and protects a sub-boreal spruce forest.

Francois Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area (N53⁰58’ W125⁰10’) is 7,243 ha including 25 km of shoreline on the south side of the lake, southwest of the town of Fraser Lake. The park includes hiking trails.

Lac La Hache Provincial Park (N51⁰52’ W121⁰38’) is a 24-ha park on Route 97, 13 km north of the town of Lac La Hache. The Wagon Road Nature Trail leads through a Douglas fir forest to a crossing of the Cariboo Wagon Road, used during the gold rush of the 1860s.

Ilgachuz Range Ecological Reserve (N52⁰48’ W125⁰24’) is 2,914 ha including the core of the isolated shield volcano. It includes Cindercone Peak, columnar basalt, and lava flows. It is mostly in the alpine zone and access is by foot.

Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park (N51ᵒ47’ W122ᵒ25’) is a 4,774-ha park at the confluence of the Chilcotin and Fraser Rivers, established to protect a herd of California bighorn sheep. The grassland park contains cliffs, hoodoos, and river rapids, as well as habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, long-billed curlew, and spotted bat. Access is from Farwell Canyon Road. The park is included in the Chilcotin Junction Important Bird Area for flammulated owl and long-billed curlew.

Kenney Dam (N53⁰35’ W124⁰57’) forms the Nechako Reservoir and was completed in 1954 to provide power for an aluminum smelter at Kitimat on the Pacific Coast. The resulting Nechako Reservoir links the Ootsa, Intata, Whitesail, Chelaslie, Tetachuck, Tahtsa, and Natalkuz rivers and lakes and diverts the water westward to the Pacific. The hydroelectric facility is at Kemano. At Skins Lake is a spillway (N53⁰46’ W126⁰0’) to the Cheslatta River. The dam and hydroelectric facilities are operated by Rio Tinto.

Kluskoil Lake Provincial Park is 15,548 ha along a lake and the West Road (Blackwater) River corridor (east end N53⁰8’ W123⁰41’; west end N53⁰12’ W124⁰8’). Access is by foot on the MacKenzie Trail.

Moose Valley Provincial Park (N51⁰39’ W121⁰39’) is 2,500 ha about 30 km west of 100-Mile House via Exeter Station Road. From a main canoe launch site on Marks Lake, a canoe route involving a chain of 12 lakes can be accessed.

Narcosli Lake Ecological Reserve (N52⁰56’ W124⁰6’) is 1,098 ha of a shallow, interior lake and wetlands 108 km west of Quesnel. Access is by float plane. The lake is a staging ground and breeding site for waterfowl.

99-Mile Trail System (N51⁰37’ W121⁰20’), BC Sites and Trails, is just west of Route 97 on Ainsworth Road. Trails for biking, snowshoeing, and a 6-km nature trail through a demonstration forest are included.

Nuntsi Provincial Park (N51ᵒ44’ W123ᵒ47’) is a 20,570-ha park established to protect moose habitat on the Taseko River. The park includes the entire watershed of Nuntsi Creek. The southern part of the park is subject to Tsilhqot’in Nation land rights.

Nazko Lake Provincial Park is 12,419 ha along the Nazko River corridor. The south end is at Plover Lake (N52⁰18’ W123⁰34’) and the north end is at Gem Falls (N52⁰34’ W123⁰29’). The park provides the opportunity for a six-lake, two- to three-day, canoe circuit. The circuit begins at Deerpelt Lake, and includes short portages to Nazko, Tanilkul, Nastachi, Tzazati, and Tchusiiltil Lakes. The park is also a white pelican feeding area.

Nechako Canyon Protected Area (N53⁰39’ W124⁰56’) is 1,246 ha about 80 km south of Vanderhoof. The 7-km-long Grand Canyon of the Nechako River is within the park. It is now mostly a dry riverbed, diverted by Kenney Dam just upstream. The flow down the Cheslatta River, which enters the park at Cheslatta Falls, includes some of the former Nechako River flow, but most is now diverted to a hydroelectric development for use by an aluminum smelter (Rio Tinto) on the Pacific Coast.

Precipice/Hotnarko Falls Trail (N52⁰28’ W125⁰29’), BC Sites and Trails, provides a short walk to an overlook of the falls on the Hotnarko River as well as basalt cliffs with drops exceeding 30 m.

Puntchesaukt Lake Provincial Park (N52⁰59’ W122⁰56’) is a 38-ha aspen forest about 40 km west of Quesnel on Nazko Road. The park offers lakeside recreation and includes a sandy beach.

Ruth Lake Provincial Park (N51⁰50’ W121⁰2’) is 30 ha on the east side of Ruth Lake, accessible by road 30 km east of 100-Mile House on Route 97. The park is noted for open forests of pine and fir with glacial erratics scattered on the lakeshore.

Sapeye-Waterlily Creek Trail (N51⁰49’ W124⁰43’), BC Sites and Trails, is a valley route with pine and aspen forest, between Sapeye Lake and Waterlily Lake, in the Mosley Creek valley.

Schoolhouse Lake Provincial Park (N51⁰53’ W121⁰0’) is a 5,106-ha rolling forested area with 30 or more lakes between Eagle and Bradley Creeks. The park is managed as a wilderness area with no road access.

Stellako River Wildlife Management Area (N54⁰2’ W124⁰58’) is 503 ha on the Nechako Plateau upstream of Route 16 at Fraser Lake. White spruce, lodgepole pine, and aspen forests surround a river used for rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, and kokanee salmon.

Tachick Lake (N53⁰57’ W124⁰12’) and Nulki Lake (N53⁰54’ W124⁰8’) are an Important Bird Area for waterfowl, geese, swan, scaup, goldeneye, mallards, and wigeon located about 25 km southwest of Vanderhoof.

Tatla Lake Trail System (N51⁰55’ W124⁰35’), BC Sites and Trails, is a 30-km system between Route 20 and Martin Lake.

Ts’il?os Provincial Park is 233,240 ha of mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows and waterfalls. The northern access from Tatla Lake (N51ᵒ37’ W124ᵒ9’) is within the Fraser Plateau and Basin ecoregion. Most of the park is in the Cascade Mountains Leeward Forests ecoregion (NA 507). Northern areas are subject to landrights of the Tsilhqot’in Nation.

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is 989,616 ha, an immense area mostly in the Fraser Plateau and Basin. The southern part of the park is in the Cascade Mountains leeward forests ecoregion, and the western edge is in the British Columbia mainland coastal forest ecoregion. The south end of the park is at Knot Lake (N51⁰54’ W125⁰43’) and the north end is at Ootsa Lake (N53⁰49’ W126⁰25’). In the Fraser Plateau and Basin portion of the park, the Rainbow Range (N52⁰39’ W125⁰55’) is a hiking and equestrian area. The Rainbow Range is a group of shield volcanoes. Access to the park is 400 km west of Williams Lake on Route 20. Park headquarters is at the rail portage between Eutsuk and Whitesail Lakes (N53⁰28’ W126⁰56’).

Uncha Mountains-Red Hills Provincial Park is 9,421 ha in two tracts on Francois Lake. On the north side of the lake, the Red Hills (N54⁰1’ W125⁰33’) feature a rare grassland, shrub-steppe area, and forest on south-facing slopes. On the south side are the Uncha Mountains (N53⁰58’ W125⁰33’).

Westwood Lakes Ecological Reserve (N51ᵒ59’ W122ᵒ10’) is a 27-ha tract 15 km south of Williams Lake on Dog Creek Road. The area is aspen parkland and about one third grassland at the northern extent of Douglas-fir forests. The reserve’s shallow, saline lake is also a valuable wetland for waterfowl and songbirds including the bufflehead and goldeneye.

White Pelican Provincial Park (N52⁰17’ W123⁰2’) is 2,763 ha about 60 km northwest of Williams Lake. The park surrounds Stum Lake, which has white pelican nesting colonies on four islands in the lake. The park is closed during the summer nesting season.

This ecoregion includes the Rocky Mountain trench, the Hart Range, Muskwa Range, Omineca Mountains, and Skeena Mountains. At low elevations, western red cedar, western hemlock, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, white spruce, and black spruce are present. At higher elevations, Engelmann spruce and alpine fir are characteristic of the ecoregion. Animals include woodland caribou, elk, moose, black-tailed deer, black bear, and grizzly. There are large wetlands in valleys near the Hart Range. There is no shortage of mountain and glacial scenery, with a river gorge at Fort George Canyon and 50-km-long Mackinnon Esker. Limestone caves and fossils are common in the Hart Range, including one of the deepest caves in the world. At Wapiti Lakes is the most important site for Triassic marine reptile fossils in the world. Middle River is an Important Bird Area for trumpeter swans. Early trading posts are preserved at Fort McLeod and Fort St. James. An historic portage between the Pacific and Arctic watersheds is at Giscome. In the Rocky Mountain trench is Williston Lake of BC Hydro, backed up by a dam (N56⁰1’ W122⁰12’) on the Peace River, creating the third largest artificial lake in North America.

Gwillim Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia (N55°25’ W121°15’), is 32,326 ha in size and accessed via Route 29 about 60 km south of Chetwynd. Lakeside recreation, canoeing, and hiking opportunities are offered. The park extends from the Murray River in the north to Mount Merkle in the south. Vegetation is white spruce, aspen, and lodgepole pine. It is part of the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark.

Monkman Provincial Park, British Columbia, is 62,867 ha on the Murray River and Monkman Creek. It is reached by the Murray River Road, which ends at the park 60 km south of Tumbler Ridge. The park has alpine meadows, old growth spruce, mountain peaks, fossil beds, and waterfalls. There are nine consecutive waterfalls on Monkman Creek (N54°41’ W121°9’) downstream of Monkman Lake. In addition, Canary Falls, Stone Corral karst area, and 60-m-tall Kinuseo Falls (N54°46’ W121°12’) are within the park. From the road end, the 63-km-long Monkman Pass Memorial trail crosses the Rockies and can be hiked in five to six days. It is part of the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark.

Wapiti Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia (N54°32’ W120°46’), is 16,809 ha in size and includes the watershed of the upper Wapiti River on the east side of the Rockies. Access is via Ojay Road, then by a 14-km hike from the trailhead to the park boundary, passing Wapiti Falls. The Wapiti Onion Trail continues into the park, passing Wapiti Lake at 19 km and contining to Onion Lake at 30 km. Onion Lake is in an alpine setting. It is part of the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark and is known as the world’s most important site for Triassic marine reptile fossils (Mikkelsen 2007).

National Sites

Fort McLeod National Historic Site (N55⁰0’ W123⁰2’) was the first trading post west of the Rocky Mountains, dating to 1805. It is off Route 97 south of Mackenzie.

Fort St. James National Historic Site (N54°26’ 124°15’) is on the eastern shore of Stuart Lake. The historic park contains a large group of original wooden buildings from a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. The site was a center of the fur trade in the 19th century.

Other state and local sites

Aleza Lake Ecological Reserve (N54°5’ W122°6’) is 240 ha on a former glacial lake bed between the Fraser and Bowron Rivers off old Route 16. Forests are of white spruce and a number of small bogs are included within the boundaries.

Arctic Pacific Lakes Provincial Park (N54⁰23’ W121⁰33’) is 13,887 ha about 90 km northeast of Prince George. There are three small lakes straddling the Continental Divide, with Arctic Lake draining to the Parsnip River, and Pacific and Portage Lakes draining to the Fraser River.

Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park consists of six sites totaling 334 ha. All provide boat anchoring and scenic lakeshore views for exploring the large remote lake west of Fort St. James. From southeast to northwest, these sites are Pinkut Creek (N54⁰27’ W125⁰27’), Pendleton Bay (N54⁰31’ W125⁰42’) on the Babine Forest Service Road, Hook Bay (N54⁰34’ W125⁰42’) on the east side of the lake, Pierre Creek (N54⁰38’ W125⁰51’), Sandpoint (N54⁰41’W125⁰53’), and Smithers Landing (N55⁰4’ W126⁰32’).

Bednesti Lake Ecological Reserve (N53⁰52’ W123⁰27’) is 139 ha surrounding a disjunct larch stand. There are two small boggy lakes and floating mats of sedge.

Bijoux Falls Provincial Park is a 40-ha day use area on the Misinchinka River, 44 km north of McLeod Lake on Route 97.

Blackwater Creek Ecological Reserve (N55⁰34’ W123⁰39’) is 243 ha, 43 km northwest of Mackenzie. The area is a sub-boreal forest and bogland on an outwash plain west of Williston Lake.

Mount Blanchet Provincial Park (N55⁰17’ W125⁰52’) is a 24,774-ha tract on Takla Lake, bordering the lake and its Northwest Arm. The park is spring range for caribou and mountain goat.

Bocock Peak Provincial Park (N55⁰52’ W122⁰55’) is 1,143 ha on the Continental Divide and Eleven Mile Creek, 70 km west of Hudson’s Hope. There are three caves in the park, one of which is 253 m deep and the 9th deepest in Canada.

Carp Lake Provincial Park is 38,149 ha, 32 km west of McLeod Lake via a gravel road. The park is known for rainbow trout rather than carp. An 8-km waterway for canoeing or power boating connects War Lake to Carp Lake. Trails lead to Rainbow Lake and War Falls. The south end of the park is along the Muskeg River (N54⁰38’ W123⁰23’) and the north end is at War Falls (N54⁰52’ W123⁰15’).

Chase Provincial Park is 36,226 ha, 70 km north of Germansen Landing. The park protects a caribou herd and contains mixed boreal forest in the Tomias Lake (N56⁰34’ W125⁰3’) and Carina Lake (N56⁰30’ W124⁰59’) areas. The southern boundary is along he Meslinka River (N56⁰23’ W125⁰2’).

Close-to-the-Edge Provincial Park and Protected Area (N54⁰4’ W121⁰2’) is 702 ha in the Dezaiko Range, 160 km east of Prince George. Close-to-the-Edge Cave is one of the 50 deepest in the world, with the deepest shaft (255 m) and third deepest (472 m) overall cave in Canada. Other caves in the park are Twin Falls Resurgence and Bluebell.

Mount Blanchet Provincial Park (N55⁰17’ W125⁰52’) is a 24,774-ha tract on Takla Lake, bordering the lake and its Northwest Arm. The park is spring range for caribou and mountain goat. The northern portion of the park along the western shore of Takla Lake is in the Central British Columbia Mountain Forests ecoregion and the southern portion is in the Fraser Plateau and Basin ecoregion. In addition to Mount Blanchet, Boling Peak and Spite Peak are included.

Cinema Bog Ecological Reserve (N53⁰15’ W122⁰26’) is a 68-ha raised bog surrounded by a black spruce forest. Many plants in the bog are at the southern limit of their distribution. The bog is adjacent to Route 97 about 28 km north of Quesnel.

Cottonwood House Provincial Historic Site, British Columbia (N53°3’ W122°9’), is 12 ha on Route 26 about 26 km east of Quesnel. The site is one of the last remaining roadhouses in British Columbia, built in 1864 to serve the gold rush traffic to Barkerville. It is managed by the Barkerville Heritage Trust. There are a number of heritage buildings, a living history farm, four trails, and accommodations.

Cottonwood River Provincial Park (N53⁰10’ W122⁰29’) is 66 ha north of Quesnel. Facilities were destroyed in a flood and not rebuilt.

Crooked River Provincial Park (N54⁰29’ W122⁰41’) is 963 ha with four lakes,70 km north of Prince George on Route 97. Livingstone Springs on the Crooked River provides winter habitat for trumpeter swan. Bear Lake is beach-fringed. The former sand dune complex is forested with white spruce, lodgepole pine, and other boreal trees. There are trails leading to Square Lake along willow-lined Crooked River. Other lakes are Hart Lake and Skeleton Lake.

Eskers Provincial Park (N54⁰4’ W123⁰10’) is 4,044 ha of aspen and lodgepole pine forests with 15 km of trails about 40 km northwest of Prince George. The trails access the 40-km-long Stuart River Eskers complex, a series of long, sinuous gravel ridges.

Evanoff Provincial Park (N54⁰5’ W121⁰20’) is 1,473 ha of limestone pinnacles and major caves 121 km east of Prince George. Fang Cave is the 9th largest in Canada, extending for 2,845 m. Other caves are Tooth Decave and Window on the West. Also present are alpine lakes and glacial features. Trails lead to the cave entrances.

Fraser River Provincial Park (N53⁰28’ W122⁰45’) is a 4,900-ha wilderness preserve on the west side of the Fraser River about 35 km south of Prince George. The park includes the Jacks Creek watershed and protects a sub-boreal spruce forest.

Fort George Canyon Provincial Park (N53⁰41’ W122⁰43’), is 178 ha accessible via a 5-km hiking trail from West Lake Road (N53⁰41’ W122⁰48’), 24 km from Prince George. The park is on the Fraser River, and the trail overlook provides views of a canyon with whirlpools, jagged rocks, and islands. These features presented a formidable obstacle to paddlewheel boats on the otherwise tranquil Fraser River. At this point in the early 1900s, passengers disembarked and portaged while the boat was winched through the narrow canyon.

Giscome Portage Trail Protected Area (N54⁰15’ W122⁰35’) is a 160-ha linear park following an 8.5-km trail between the Pacific and Arctic watersheds, used as a portage by First Nations and later by miners during the gold rush. It is 40 km north of Prince George on Route 97. Adjacent is the Giscome Portage Regional Park on the Fraser River, managed by the Regional District of Fraser-St. George and containing the Huble Homestead.

Graham-Laurier Provincial Park is 99,982 ha accessible on foot from the Halfway Graham Forest Service Road, 145 km northwest of Fort St. John. A 22-km trail along the Graham River leads to Christina Falls (N56⁰33’W123⁰6’) at the eastern boundary. Another trail follows Needham Creek to the south of the park (N56⁰26’ W123⁰3’). and Horn Creeks. Lady Laurier Lake (N56⁰42’W123⁰45’) is a scenic alpine lake in the west of the park. In the southeast of the park is an old growth black and white spruce forest near the Graham River (N56⁰28’ W122⁰54’). Elsewhere is Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. In the north of the park, Mount Laurier (N56⁰47’ W123⁰29’) is in the Northern Cordillera forests ecoregion.

Heather-Dina Lakes Provincial Park is 5,786 ha on Williston Lake at Cut Thumb Creek, 25 km north of Mackenzie on Parsnip West Forest Service Road. The park features are Healther Lake (N55⁰30’ W123⁰15’) and Dina Lakes (N55⁰31’ W123⁰18’), the latter of which include five small lakes which can be toured by canoe circuit. Trails are also available.

Hole-in-the-Wall Provincial Park (N55⁰9’ W121⁰51’) is 137 ha on the Sukunka River, 45 km south of Chetwynd. The major feature is a spring emerging from a limestone rock wall.

Kakwa Provincial Park is 170,890 ha in size, at the junction of three ecoregions (Alberta Mountain forests, Central British Columbia Mountain forests, and North Central Rockies forests) 70 km north of McBride. Access is by foot from the end of Walker Creek Forest Service Road, 85 km from Route 16. A continuous chain of national and provincial parks begins at Kakwa and extends southward to Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park in Alberta. The park is also the northern terminus of the Great Divide Trail, which extends 1,200 km south to Waterton Lakes National Park and continues in the United States as the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail to Mexico. The park includes two peaks over 10,000 feet, Narraway waterfall, caves, Triassic fish fossils, and dinosaur track sites. Forests are sub-boreal. The headquarters is at Kakwa Lake (N54⁰0’ W120⁰11’). The northern extent is along the Narraway River (N54⁰16’ W120⁰15’), the western extent is at McGregor River at Jarvis Creek (N53⁰59’ W120⁰42’), and the southeastern extent is at Intersection Mountain (N53⁰49’ W120⁰0’).

Mackinnon Esker Ecological Reserve (N54⁰50’ W123⁰34’) is 545 ha 38 km southwest of McLeod Lake. A segment of the esker is over 50 km long, the longest in the province. It is 150 m wide. Other glacial features in the park are drumlins and kettle holes. Forests are of lodgepole pine and blueberry.

Middle River upstream of Trembleur Lake (N55⁰0’ W125⁰23’ downstream to N54⁰52’ W125⁰8’) is part of the Stuart, Tachie, and Middle Rivers Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area for wintering trumpeter swans. The IBA includes a 30-km river reach.

Moscovite Lakes Provincial Park (N55⁰59’ W124⁰8’) is a 5,708-ha tract on the western edge of Williston Lake, 135 km north of McKenzie on the Finley Forest Service Road from McLeod Lake. The park consists of sub-boreal spruce forests and contains kettle lakes that are fish-free.

Mudzenchoot Provincial Park (N55⁰2’ W124⁰27’) is 644 ha, 90 km west of Fort St. James. Features are high elevation grasslands and shrub meadows with Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir forests. The park hosts a rare sedge and Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium).

Nechako River Ecological Reserve (N53⁰56’ W123⁰14’) is 133 ha about 30 km west of Prince George. The site protects the most vigorous larch stands west of the Rocky Mountains.

Omineca Provincial Park and Protected Area (N55⁰54’ W124⁰22’) is 135,000 ha in the Wolverine Range. The park includes the Omineca River upstream from its confluence in Williston Lake. The park provides important caribou and mountain goat habitat.

Ospika Cones Ecological Reserve (N57⁰1’ W124⁰15’) is 1,282 ha featuring a cold-water tufa terrace and pools. The limestone mineral formations on the Ospika River are surrounded by sedge fens. Access is by air only.

Paarens Beach Provincial Park (N54⁰25’ W124⁰23’) is a camping park on the south shore of Stuart Lake about 11 km west of Fort St. James.

Pine-Le Moray Provincial Park is 43,245 ha 50 km northeast of McLeod Lake on the Continental Divide at Route 97. The park includes Pine Pass (N55⁰25’ W122⁰39’) and Mount Le Moray (N55⁰29’ W122⁰39’). The Hart Ranges are known for karst topography. There are also alpine areas and Engelmann spruce forests. Major streams are Link Creek, Mountain Creek, and the Pine River. The northern extent is on the Pine River (N55⁰31’ W122⁰44’) and the southern extent is near Milborn Peak (N55⁰15’ W122⁰23’).

Pinnacles Provincial Park (N52⁰59’ W122⁰34’) is 8 km west of Quesnel. The park features a one-km trail to unique hoodoos overlooking Baker Creek.

Mount Pope Provincial Park (N54⁰29’ W124⁰20’) is a 2,030-ha day use park. A 6-km trail leads to Mount Pope, a 1,472-m isolated peak with a view of the Omineca Mountains.

Purden Lake Provincial Park (N53°55’ W121°55’) is 2,520 ha on Route 16 about 60 km east of Prince George. There is a lake, campground, and forests of white spruce and lodgepole pine.

Raspberry Harbour Ecological Reserve (N56⁰6’ W124⁰15’) is 143 ha, 144 km west of Hudson’s Hope, between Omineca and Finley Reaches of Willliston Lake. Lodgepole pine and bog are found, as is sub-boreal spruce at its northern limit. The trees are noted as being unusually tall.

Sochea Bay Provincial Park (N54⁰25’ W124⁰27’) is a 13-ha camping park on the south shore of Stuart Lake about 20 km west of Fort St. James.

Stuart Lake Marine Provincial Park includes three sites intended to be part of the 300-km Stuart-Trembleur-Takla Lake wilderness boatway. These are the 70-ha Jus K’etl’o Bay site (N54⁰39 W125⁰0’), the 23-ha North Arm site (N54⁰40’W125⁰9’), and the 134-ha Two Islands site (N54⁰36’ W124⁰38’).

Stuart Lake Provincial Park (N54⁰38’ W124⁰39’) is 32-ha on the east shore of Stuart Lake.

Stuart River Provincial Park is 20,984 ha in two tracts encompassing 83 km of the river corridor. The 40-km upstream section (upper end N54⁰20’ W124⁰15’; lower end N54⁰11’ W123⁰43’) is part of the Stuart, Tachie, and Middle Rivers Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area for wintering trumpeter swan. The downstream section (lower end N53⁰59’ W123⁰33’; upper end N 54⁰9’ W123⁰31’) is not part of the IBA.

Sukunka Falls Provincial Park (N55⁰20’ W121⁰43’) is 360 ha encompassing three sets of waterfalls on the Sukunka River at the confluence with the Burnt River, south of Chetwynd. White spruce forests are present.

Sutherland River Provincial Park and Protected Area encompasses 18,394 ha 30 km west of Fort St. James. Included are Babine Lake (N54⁰29’ W125⁰22’) and Tetzalto Mountain (N54⁰29’ W125⁰0’), a hiking destination. The protected area is further to the south (N54⁰19’ W124⁰47’).

Tacheeda Lakes Ecological Reserve (N54⁰40’ W122⁰31’) is 526 ha of Douglas-fir at the northern limit of the species for this longitude. Other transitional mature forests are of sub-boreal spruce, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir.

Tachie River between Trembleur Lake (N54⁰49’ W124⁰57’) and Stuart Lake (N54⁰39’ W124⁰47’) is a 20-km river corridor portion of the Stuart, Tachie, and Middle Rivers Important Bird Area and Key Biodiversity Area for wintering trumpeter swans.

Takla Lake Marine Provincial Park consists of three sites on Takla Lake, intended to be part of the 300-km Stuart-Trembleur-Takla Lake wilderness boatway. The Sandy Point site (N55⁰8’ W125⁰40’) is 550 ha overlooking the lake. The 31-ha Takla West site (N55⁰34’ W126⁰7’) and the 349-ha White Bluff site (N55⁰32’ W126⁰1’) are further up the lake. Takla Lake is the upper lake in the chain, drained by the 22-km Middle river which empties into Trembleur Lake.

Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park (N53⁰4’ W122⁰26’) is a 343-ha park on Route 97. There are 10 km of trails leading past a series of beaver dams within a white spruce-Douglas fir forest.

Three Sisters Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia (N53°32’ W122°31’) is 970 ha southeast of Prince George. In addition to three lakes in a circular pattern, there is a canyon along Government Creek.

Trembleur Lake Provincial Park (N54⁰50’ W125⁰14’) is a 57-acre site intended to be a part of the 300-km Stuart-Trembleur-Takla Lake wilderness boatway. Trembleur Lake is the middle lake in the chain, and is drained by the 26-km Tachie River which empties into Stuart Lake.

Tudyah Lake Provincial Park (N55⁰4’ W123⁰2’) is 56 ha on Route 97, 9 km north of McLeod Lake. This is the site of Melville Lodge, purchased as part of the Williston Lake project.